smuggled; smuggling
ˈsmə-g(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to import or export secretly contrary to the law and especially without paying duties imposed by law
2
: to convey or introduce surreptitiously
: 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
For example, the new government has banned flights from Iran into Lebanon after Israel threatened to shoot down any planes suspected of being used to smuggle contraband into the country.
—
Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Police said that the amount of cocaine the man had allegedly been trying to smuggle through the airport had been valued at more than 10,000 euros (just under $10,500), per a Monday, Feb. 24 news release.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
What situation might require a lady to smuggle a salon’s worth of beauty tools inside a book?
—Molly Young, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
The reforms would also include calling for the highest penalties to be applied to foreigners who are found guilty of smuggling and distributing guns.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Police said that the amount of cocaine the man had allegedly been trying to smuggle through the airport had been valued at more than 10,000 euros (just under $10,500), per a Monday, Feb. 24 news release.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
What situation might require a lady to smuggle a salon’s worth of beauty tools inside a book?
—Molly Young, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
The reforms would also include calling for the highest penalties to be applied to foreigners who are found guilty of smuggling and distributing guns.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
smuggle
verb
smug·gle
ˈsmə-gəl
smuggled; smuggling
: to import or export secretly and illegally especially to avoid paying duties or to evade enforcement of laws
smuggle drugs
convicted of smuggling weapons
: to export or import something in violation of customs laws
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