What is verbal irony in

Verbal irony involves using words to express something different or even opposite of what is literally being said. It intentionally conveys a meaning that contradicts the actual or expected sense of the words used. By utilizing contrast or incongruity between the literal and implied meaning, verbal irony creates humor or emphasizes the speaker's true intentions.

Here's an example:

Literal statement: "You look great!"

Implied meaning (irony): "Actually, you don't look so good."

In this instance, the phrase "You look great!" is uttered sarcastically, and it's understood that the speaker means the opposite. The person probably does not look great, and the speaker intends to convey this indirectly.

Verbal irony relies on the audience's ability to recognize the contrast between what is said and what is meant. It's often employed in humor, satire, sarcasm, and literary works to create a sense of surprise, amusement, or critique.