Which term refers to a statement that appears to contradict itself but may, in fact, be true?

The correct term that refers to a statement that appears to contradict itself but may, in fact, be true is "irony." Irony often involves a difference between expectation and reality, where something seems contrary to what one would expect but is nonetheless accurate or meaningful in a deeper sense. For instance, someone might say, "The fire station burned down," which sounds contradictory but actually can occur in real life, illustrating the essence of irony.

In contrast, hyperbole refers to an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. An ironic statement generally suggests a situation where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, but it may not always embody the self-contradictory nature inherent to irony. An ironic twist specifically highlights a surprising or unexpected conclusion in a story or situation but does not encapsulate the broader concept of contradictory statements in the way that irony does.