What is the literary term for a device that conveys the opposite of what is expected?

The term that conveys the opposite of what is expected is irony. Irony involves a contrast between appearances and reality, often manifesting in ways that can be surprising or contradictory. There are different types of irony, such as situational irony, where the outcome of a situation is significantly different from what was expected, and verbal irony, where a speaker says one thing but means another, typically the opposite.

For instance, if a fire station burns down, that is an example of situational irony because we would expect that a place dedicated to fire safety would not catch fire. Irony can create a richer understanding of a situation or deepen the impact of a narrative by highlighting discrepancies in expectations versus reality.

The other terms listed refer to different concepts. An oxymoron combines contradictory terms to create a unique meaning (like "deafening silence"), while a paradox presents a seemingly contradictory statement that may reveal a deeper truth upon further reflection (such as "less is more"). Hyperbole, on the other hand, is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally (for instance, "I’ve told you a million times"). Therefore, irony specifically encapsulates the essence of expressing the opposite of what one would expect.