Standard Lemma guide

Timonism

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: tīʹmənĭzəm
  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈtaɪmənɪzəm/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A form of bitter misanthropy, a despair leading to hatred or contemptuous rejection of mankind, like Timon of Athens.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • This most cruel betrayal led him to Timonism.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A bitter or cynical utterance or behavior, in the manner of Timon of Athens.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • Pay no attention to his Timonisms; it's a pose.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Timon + -ism, after the 5th-century-BCE person Timon of Athens (as described by Plutarch, Lucian, and Aristophanes), possibly by way of William Shakespeare's play Timon of Athens (c. 1607). Used in the Westminster Review (maybe after the earlier Timonist) in an 1840 review. Erroneously attributed to Herman Melville, who popularized it later in 1852.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: timonisme — Form of bitter misanthropy
  • French: Timonisme — Form of bitter misanthropy
  • French: timonisme — Bitter or cynical utterance
  • French: Timonisme — Bitter or cynical utterance