What term describes the use of language to convey the opposite of its literal meaning?

The term that describes the use of language to convey the opposite of its literal meaning is irony. Irony occurs when there is a contrast between expectation and reality, often highlighting discrepancies between what is said and what is meant. This can be manifested in verbal irony, where someone might say one thing while intending the opposite, such as when someone says "Great weather we're having!" during a storm, illustrating a clear contradiction to the literal meaning.

Metonymy refers to a figure of speech where one thing is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it, such as "The White House announced" to mean the President or the administration, which is not about oppositional meaning. Hyperbole, on the other hand, is an exaggeration for emphasis or effect, like saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse," which does not convey opposite meanings but rather amplifies the sentiment. Symbolism involves using symbols to represent ideas or qualities, not inherently opposing meanings in language.