Which literary device uses exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally?

Hyperbole is the literary device that involves the use of exaggerated statements or claims that are not meant to be taken literally. This form of expression is often employed for emphasis or to create a strong impression. For example, someone might say, "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse," to illustrate extreme hunger in a vivid way without any intention of consuming an actual horse. The power of hyperbole lies in its ability to convey emotions and ideas in a striking manner that engages the reader's imagination.

Understatement, while it might involve a level of irony or sarcasm, presents situations in a way that downplays their significance, which is quite the opposite of hyperbole. Personification is a device that attributes human characteristics to non-human entities, and symbolism involves the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Neither of these focuses on exaggeration or takes a literal approach, making them distinct from hyperbole.