The phrase "poison-pen" refers to a written malicious message or a person who spreads such messages. Some synonyms for this term include venomous, caustic, acidic, vitriolic, and acrimonious. These words describe the hurtful and damaging nature of the written message or person's behavior. Other similar terms for the "poison-pen" concept include slanderous, libelous, defamatory, and abusive. Whether it's in a formal or casual setting, the use of poison-pen messages is never appropriate. It's important to remember the adage, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all".