What literary device is utilized when a speaker says one thing but means another?

Verbal irony is the literary device at play when a speaker expresses something but intends a meaning that contrasts sharply with the words being used. This technique relies on the audience's understanding that the literal meaning is not the intended meaning, often creating a layer of complexity or humor in the dialogue. For instance, if a character steps out into a storm and exclaims, "What lovely weather we're having," the literal interpretation contradicts the actual situation.

In contrast, situational irony involves a discrepancy between expected outcomes and the actual situation, hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, and a metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." Hence, verbal irony specifically addresses the torn gap between spoken words and their true significance.