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"says" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often expresses (9 letters).
Definitions
Speaks, states, or expresses in words.
Used in a sentence
“She says it is beautiful.”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer2 curated clues
01“States aloud”4 letters
02“Utters”4 letters
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