How does verbal irony differ from situational irony?

Verbal irony and situational irony differ primarily in their mechanism and scope within a work of literature or rhetoric.

Verbal irony operates at the level of language. It occurs when the literal meaning of words is contradicted by their actual intended meaning, often to express a contrast between what is said and what is meant. This form of indirection allows a speaker to avoid overt praise or censure, sometimes manifesting as sarcasm.12

Situational irony, by contrast, is defined by a structural incongruity or a striking reversal of expectations. Rather than relying on the speaker's choice of words, it involves a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what was intended or expected. While verbal irony is a linguistic device, situational irony is often associated with the broader structure of a narrative or event.1342

Though some scholars distinguish between them, situational irony is frequently grouped with dramatic or structural irony, as all these forms focus on gaps in understanding—whether between a character's expectations and reality, or between the audience's knowledge and the characters' awareness.12