I fall in the middle -- I wouldn't use "smiled," because there's no sound involved. However, things like "sigh" or, yes, "rasp" do have associated sounds.
The masked villian held a knife to her throat, rasping, "Don't yell for Superman -- we have kryptonite!"
"Just great," she sighed.
Too, other words about attitude imply speech:
"Lois, we've been nominated for the Pulitzer! They've recognized your superior abilities," he exulted.
"Jointly? I wanted my own," groused Lois.
Used sparingly, just about any verb with an implied vocal sound would work. I can most definitely sigh a brief statement and it sounds different from whispering or saying. But as said, variety is spice -- and you make a cake using mostly normal ingredients and a little spice, not the other way around.
