What literary device involves a construction in which one word is used in two different senses?

The correct answer is syllepsis, which refers specifically to a figure of speech in which a single word is applied to two others in different senses. This literary device creates a play on words and often adds a layer of humor or emphasis to a sentence. Syllepsis can be particularly effective in highlighting the dual meanings of a word, allowing for a richer interpretation of the text. An example would be a phrase like "He lost his coat and his temper," where the verb "lost" applies to both the physical coat and the abstract concept of temper in different ways.

The other options represent different literary concepts. Metonymy involves substituting the name of one thing with the name of something closely associated with it. Antithesis highlights contrasting ideas within a balanced structure. Paradox presents a statement that seems self-contradictory or illogical but may contain a deeper truth. While these devices are all useful in literature, they do not serve the same function of using one word in two different senses as syllepsis does.