smuggle

verb

smug·​gle ˈsmə-gəl How to pronounce smuggle (audio)
smuggled; smuggling ˈsmə-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce smuggle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to import or export secretly contrary to the law and especially without paying duties imposed by law
2
: to convey or introduce surreptitiously

intransitive verb

: to import or export something in violation of the customs laws

Examples of smuggle in a Sentence

He was arrested for smuggling drugs into the country. They smuggled immigrants across the border. The paintings had been smuggled out of the country before the war. We smuggled his favorite sandwich past the nurse.
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.
Iran specifically used Syria as a route through which to smuggle weapons to the terrorist proxy Hezbollah. The Editors, National Review, 8 Dec. 2024 Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, this irreverent comedy follows David Clark (played by Sudeikis), a small-time marijuana dealer whose plans go awry when he’s forced to smuggle a massive shipment of drugs from Mexico to the United States. Travis Bean, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 Prior to the closure of its border with the US, Mexico’s National Confederation of Livestock Organizations had called on the government to clamp down on cattle smuggling across Mexico’s southern border. Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024 Israeli military jets hit alleged Hezbollah weapons smuggling sites near the border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, according to officials, who allege the Lebanese militant group violated a ceasefire agreement. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for smuggle 

Word History

Etymology

Low German smuggeln & Dutch smokkelen

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of smuggle was in 1687

Dictionary Entries Near smuggle

Cite this Entry

“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

smuggle

verb
smug·​gle ˈsməg-əl How to pronounce smuggle (audio)
smuggled; smuggling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce smuggle (audio)
1
: to export or import secretly and unlawfully especially to avoid paying taxes
smuggle jewels
2
: to take, bring, or introduce secretly
smuggler noun

Legal Definition

smuggle

verb
smug·​gle ˈsmə-gəl How to pronounce smuggle (audio)
smuggled; smuggling

transitive verb

: to import or export secretly and illegally especially to avoid paying duties or to evade enforcement of laws
smuggle drugs
convicted of smuggling weapons

intransitive verb

: to export or import something in violation of customs laws
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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