as in smuggler
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally a bootlegger of counterfeit electronics

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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 bootlegger The iron law explains why bootleggers smuggled whiskey instead of beer or wine during alcohol prohibition. John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 His death reportedly was the result of a dispute with a bootlegger. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 Childhood friends, Costello and Genovese thrived as bootleggers during Prohibition and rose to the upper ranks of the mob. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025 The Real McCoy line (named after a famous bootlegger of the 1920s) is distilled at Foursquare is more affordable and easier to find but doesn’t skimp on the quality. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bootlegger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootlegger
smuggler
Noun
  • Since the ability to smuggle in narcotics and humans by simply walking over the border has been eliminated, smugglers are now forced to think of another way to enter our nation.
    Mike Garcia, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The Mossad had developed contacts with smugglers — and often with the government intelligence agencies — in all seven nations.
    Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bootlegger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootlegger. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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