verbal irony

/ˈvɜrbəl ˈaɪrəni/

When you use verbal irony, you deliberately say something that is very different from what you actually mean. If you look up at an impending thunderstorm and say, "It's a perfect day for a picnic," that's verbal irony.

Sometimes verbal irony comes in the form of sarcasm, when you say the opposite of what you mean in order to criticize or mock someone. You're using this sarcastic kind of verbal irony when you say, "Wow, it looks like you worked incredibly hard making dinner" to your sister, who has warmed up some fish sticks in the microwave. As long as your meaning contrasts with what you're saying on purpose, you're using verbal irony.

Definitions of verbal irony

1. noun

   when the intended meaning of a speaker’s words contrasts with the literal meaning
   type of:

   irony

   a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs