as in to sell
to move (people or goods) from one country to another secretly and illegally
They were arrested for smuggling drugs across the border.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of smuggle
Law enforcement vessels seize thousands of kilograms of cocaine from smuggling boats.
—
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
According to prosecutors, Rendon, the victim, was arrested on May 27 while trying to smuggle less than a half-pound of methamphetamine into the U.S. through a pedestrian crossing lane from Tijuana to San Diego.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
An Arab plan must include credible provisions to stop smuggling from Egypt into Gaza and to ensure that humanitarian assistance and reconstruction material won’t be seized, resold, or repurposed by Hamas.
—Dennis Ross, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2025
Overall, Berk and Olsen insisted on smuggling a 25-minute romantic comedy into their action movie so that the audience is fully invested in Nate’s quest to rescue Sherry from bank robbers who take her hostage at the end of the first act.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
According to prosecutors, Rendon, the victim, was arrested on May 27 while trying to smuggle less than a half-pound of methamphetamine into the U.S. through a pedestrian crossing lane from Tijuana to San Diego.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
An Arab plan must include credible provisions to stop smuggling from Egypt into Gaza and to ensure that humanitarian assistance and reconstruction material won’t be seized, resold, or repurposed by Hamas.
—Dennis Ross, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2025
Overall, Berk and Olsen insisted on smuggling a 25-minute romantic comedy into their action movie so that the audience is fully invested in Nate’s quest to rescue Sherry from bank robbers who take her hostage at the end of the first act.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle
Verb
-
Elsewhere in the land, the Ministry of Magic section includes merchandise locations that sell wands and other franchise materials, namely the focal wand location Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In a Wednesday research note distributed earlier, Kai Wang suggests investors stick with stocks that benefit from any future stimulus from China.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
The Trump administration officially began to stop federal funds from being distributed to the state of Maine due to the governor’s refusal to prohibit males from competing in female sports.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Marquee Brands was in exclusive talks to buy Dockers from Levi Strauss & Co., but ultimately couldn’t get comfortable with the price in the tariff mayhem and had to let the opportunity slip.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
But there’s always somebody who will come around and buy a $50,000 candle.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Secondly, there is a very important business equation here, because Gavi spent more on vaccines supplied by U.S. companies than any other country in the world.—
Alice Park,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
At this point, the measure was at its highest value since April 14, 2024, additional figures supplied by Blockforce Capital reveal.—
Charles Lloyd Bovaird II,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share