Listen, it's completely fine to use "said" after the dialogue. A lot of people find it repetitive, but it's completely your choice if you want to use that word or not.
Some words that can replace "said":
· muttered (kinda like silently saying something in an insecure way)
· whispered (like "muttered" but a little bit confident in a way)
· blurted (not meaning to say something but it just kinda went out)
· spat (when you're angry and you low-key insult someone)
· announced (telling people info)
· interjected (two or more people are talking and you interrupt the conversation)
· uttered (to say something)
Cool.
