situational irony

[ sich-oo-ey-shuh-nl ahy-ruh-nee, ahyer- ]

noun

1. irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

Word History and Origins

Origin of situational irony¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Much like a Deadpool movie, the situational irony didn’t end there for the couple either.

From Fox News

The initial reporting by Iowa media, largely sourced from Guthrie county authorities, had all the low-stakes scandal and situational irony to make a trending news story on social media.

From The Guardian

The baseline situational irony that has governed the entire Trump administration can only be countered by the sort of critical irony found in comedic satire.

From Salon

English teachers, language mavens, and pedants of all stripes were quick to point out that Morissette's examples didn't match the dictionary definition of situational irony.

From Salon

The first episode uses all this suburban intrigue deftly, finding humor out of the situational irony while making clear The Americans is no farce.

From Time