Punic

1 of 2

adjective

Pu·​nic ˈpyü-nik 

1

: of or relating to Carthage or the Carthaginians

2

: faithless, treacherous

Punic

2 of 2

noun

: the Phoenician dialect of ancient Carthage

Examples of Punic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This year’s Series, which began on Friday, is the twelfth instance in which the teams have met in these Punic confrontations, with the Yankees prevailing eight times. — Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024

Noun

The shipwrecks are from a range of eras and civilizations, including the ancient Punic (Carthaginian) civilization, and the Roman, medieval and modern periods, according to a recent research paper. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026

The Second Punic War saw Hannibal and his troops — including as many as 90,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry and a number of elephants — march from Spain across the Alps and into Italy. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2026

For scholars who have spent careers studying the Punic Wars through texts and images alone, a physical piece of one of these animals is something entirely new. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2026

The project centers around the eponymous Carthaginian general who led an army of warriors and elephants across the Alps to fight the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026

During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal crossed the Alps with his army and his elephants, invading Italy. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin punicus, from Poenus inhabitant of Carthage; akin to Greek Phoinix Phoenician

First Known Use

Adjective

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Punic

• eunuch
• runic
• tunic