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
Agents found mangrove leaves inside the boat, mangrove branch scratches on its right side, green plant matter transfer on its Bimini top and fresh gelcoat damage to the starboard bottom of the boat, which led authorities to suspect it had been involved in smuggling humans.
—
Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
The American Lung Association report calls on the Food and Drug Administration to finalize rules for a tracking system that would identify counterfeit or smuggled tobacco products.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
Inside, we were greeted by a half dozen armed men and two Indian families, taking the last step of being smuggled into the US.
—Matt Rivers, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
This law was a response to growing demands from patients suffering from various medical conditions, including epilepsy and chronic pain, who had previously resorted to smuggling cannabis products due to a lack of legal options.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
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Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
The American Lung Association report calls on the Food and Drug Administration to finalize rules for a tracking system that would identify counterfeit or smuggled tobacco products.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
Inside, we were greeted by a half dozen armed men and two Indian families, taking the last step of being smuggled into the US.
—Matt Rivers, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
This law was a response to growing demands from patients suffering from various medical conditions, including epilepsy and chronic pain, who had previously resorted to smuggling cannabis products due to a lack of legal options.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025
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 5 Feb. 2025.
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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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