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
But in recent years, drug manufacturers have turned to synthetic drugs like MDMA, ketamine, and fentanyl, which are easier to mass produce and smuggle across borders.
—
Celia Ford, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
The investigation centers on allegations that the prime minister’s office promoted to foreign media the claim that Hamas was planning on smuggling hostages out of Gaza over the Egyptian border and creating divisions in Israeli society to pressure Netanyahu into a hostage release and ceasefire deal.
—Irene Nasser, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party's presidential candidate, has attributed the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl to migrants, despite federal data indicating that many individuals caught smuggling fentanyl across the border are U.S. citizens.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has blamed migrants for the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl, even though federal data suggests many people smuggling fentanyl across the border are U.S. citizens.
—CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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about these examples.
Celia Ford, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
The investigation centers on allegations that the prime minister’s office promoted to foreign media the claim that Hamas was planning on smuggling hostages out of Gaza over the Egyptian border and creating divisions in Israeli society to pressure Netanyahu into a hostage release and ceasefire deal.
—Irene Nasser, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party's presidential candidate, has attributed the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl to migrants, despite federal data indicating that many individuals caught smuggling fentanyl across the border are U.S. citizens.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has blamed migrants for the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl, even though federal data suggests many people smuggling fentanyl across the border are U.S. citizens.
—CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle
Dictionary Entries Near smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
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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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