* irony

- someone is being ironic when he says something that is very different from and often the opposite of what he really means

- tragic irony occurs when events happen despite-or because of-characters' attempts to control their fates in tragedies.

- (more generally) something may seem ironic when it contradicts what we might expect or undermines our plans

- irony also can describe a style of living in which people distance themselves from social conventions and norms.

* sarcasm (can hurt)

- it often employs the type of irony in which you say the opposite of what you mean, but with a harsh edge that wounds, insults, or expresses irritation.