poison pen
Anonymous hateful correspondence
Poison pen describes anonymous letters or communications intended to malign, insult, or upset the recipient.
A poison-pen letter typically contains hateful accusations, threats, or scandalous allegations while concealing the sender's identity.
The term extends to any malicious anonymous writing: a poison-pen campaign against the mayor.
Written symbol or message
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- missiveFormal letter sent
- noteShort written record
- anonymous letterMessage from unknown sender
hate mail · message · communication · epistle · dispatch · memorandum
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- smearSpread or defame
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
mudslinging · aspersion · calumny · vilification · denouncement · invective · diatribe · tirade
Of unknown origin
- unsignedBearing no signature
- namelessWithout any designation
- unidentifiedNot yet recognized
- facelessLacking identity or features
pseudonymous · incognito · covert · hidden · concealed · secret · disguised · untraceable
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
- ill willHostile or unfriendly feeling
- venomInjected animal poison
bitterness · rancor · animosity · resentment · malevolence · hatred · enmity · acrimony
Expressing intent to harm
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- menaceSource of potential harm
terrorizing · blackmail · extortion · pressure · scare tactics · psychological warfare · torment · persecution
letter
Written symbol or message
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- missiveFormal letter sent
- noteShort written record
anonymous letter · hate mail · message · communication · epistle · dispatch · memorandum
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- smearSpread or defame
character assassination · mudslinging · aspersion · calumny · vilification · denouncement · invective · diatribe · tirade · hatchet job
anonymous
Of unknown origin
- unsignedBearing no signature
- namelessWithout any designation
- unidentifiedNot yet recognized
faceless · pseudonymous · incognito · covert · hidden · concealed · secret · disguised · untraceable · shadowy
malice
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
- ill willHostile or unfriendly feeling
venom · bitterness · rancor · animosity · resentment · malevolence · hatred · enmity · acrimony · spitefulness
threatening
Expressing intent to harm
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
menace · terrorizing · blackmail · extortion · pressure · scare tactics · psychological warfare · torment · persecution · stalking
- snarksarcasm, snark, jab, barb, dig
- whodunitswhodunit, murder mystery, detective, sleuth, clue
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
- gossiprumor, rumors, gossip, hearsay, whisper
- hostilityanimosity, hostility, antagonism, belligerence, malice
- scandalscandal, infamy, disgrace, coverup, cover-up
poison penfan letter
Written praise to celebrity
love letter · complimentary · kind · laudatory · fan mail
poison penconstructive criticism
Fault-finding aimed at improvement
uplifting · heartwarming · morale-boosting · affirming · empowering
poison penopen letter
Published correspondence for everyone
forthright · transparent · above-board · direct · face-to-face
pen, poison, pencil, poisonous, pens, poisoned, poisoning, poisons, penned