Phoenician

noun

Phoe·​ni·​cian fi-ˈnē-shən How to pronounce Phoenician (audio) -ˈni- How to pronounce Phoenician (audio)
1
: a native or inhabitant of ancient Phoenicia
2
: the Semitic language of ancient Phoenicia
Phoenician adjective

Examples of Phoenician in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Johansson also stars in The Phoenician Scheme, in theaters now. Jack Smart, People.com, 25 June 2025 Cultivated in Sicily since Phoenician times, Zibbibo is a derivative of an Arabic word for raisin. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 June 2025 While sequel, prequel, and reboot fatigue has never been higher, when the teaser aired ahead of a showing of The Phoenician Scheme in New York, people were laughing out loud at the jokes. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 June 2025 Of particular note are Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, another small-scale drama targeting the indie-inclined audience that's managing to make splash, with a $3 million take in its third week of release for a $12.7 overall domestic haul. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 15 June 2025 Other notable indies this weekend include Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme starring Benecio del Toro, still going strong in week 3 with $3 million on 1,731 screens and a no. 8 spot at the domestic box office. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 June 2025 Cranston has continued keeping busy, acting in Godzilla, Power Rangers, Isle of Dogs, Asteroid City and The Phoenician Scheme. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 14 June 2025 Benicio Del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda in The Phoenician Scheme After playing character parts in The French Dispatch and Asteroid City, Del Toro shined as the kind of main character Wes Anderson only sometimes gives us (Ralph Fiennes’s Gustave from The Grand Budapest Hotel springs to mind). Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025 For The Phoenician Scheme, Anderson collaborated once again with French music composer, Alexandre Desplat. Maelle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Phoenician was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Phoenician.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Phoenician. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

Phoenician

noun
Phoe·​ni·​cian fi-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce Phoenician (audio) -ˈnē-shən How to pronounce Phoenician (audio)
1
: a person born or living in ancient Phoenicia
2
: the Semitic language of ancient Phoenicia
Phoenician adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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