smuggle

verb

smug·​gle ˈsmə-gəl 

smuggled; smuggling ˈsmə-g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to import or export secretly contrary to the law and especially without paying duties imposed by law

2

: to convey or introduce surreptitiously

intransitive verb

: 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

The heart arrives smuggled in with the blade, in these monologues as text. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 July 2026

They were repatriated through cooperation between Indonesia’s Culture Ministry and the FBI after provenance research established the objects had been smuggled out of Indonesia, Zon said. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

They were repatriated through cooperation between the FBI and the ministry after provenance research established that they had been smuggled out of Indonesia, Zon added. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 23 July 2026

Authorities arrested Munster and Claude Kwe, a research fellow at Rocky Mountain Labs, June 2 on charges of conspiracy to smuggle mpox into the United States and lying to border agents. — CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Low German smuggeln & Dutch smokkelen

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for smuggle

• jugal
• juggle
• mughal
• snuggle
• struggle

Kids Definition

smuggle

verb

smug·​gle ˈsməg-əl 

smuggled; smuggling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to export or import secretly and unlawfully especially to avoid paying taxes

smuggle jewels

2

: to take, bring, or introduce secretly

smuggler

ˈsməg-lər 

noun

Legal Definition

smuggle

verb

smug·​gle ˈsmə-gəl 

smuggled; smuggling

transitive verb

: to import or export secretly and illegally especially to avoid paying duties or to evade enforcement of laws

smuggle drugs

convicted of smuggling weapons

intransitive verb

: to export or import something in violation of customs laws