smuggle

verb smug·gle \ ˈsmə-gəl \

Definition of smuggle

smuggled; smuggling play \-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

—

smuggler

play \ˈsmə-glər\ noun

See smuggle defined for English-language learners

See smuggle defined for kids

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 of smuggle from the Web

These range from the menial (fixing her washing machine) to the potentially ruinous (smuggling a cake to Moscow by plane, which could cost a father who works at the airport his job).

— ben kenigsberg, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Teacher,’ a Classroom Satire on Political Corruption," 29 Aug. 2017
Others were smuggling drugs, money, cellphones and porn.

— carol marbin miller, miamiherald, "Alleged debauchery, abuse, cover-ups at Florida youth program lead to 3 arrests," 18 Aug. 2017
Ser Davos smuggles Tyrion into the city to meet with Jaime, the only family member left that wouldn’t try to kill him on sight.

— elyse roth, Glamour, "Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 5 Recap: Arya Is on to Littlefinger, the Wight War Is Imminent, and More," 13 Aug. 2017
Anna-Sophia Lang of Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that five of the works now on display were pieces that Felsner smuggled out.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "This Dachau Survivor’s Harrowing Art Is on Display for the First Time," 31 July 2017
Kia Hampton, 28, was arrested on May 26 in Allen County, Ohio, after police say she was caught smuggling marijuana into the Allen Correctional Institution for Jeremy Kelly, an inmate at the facility, according to an affidavit detailing the arrest.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Miss Kentucky 2011 accused of smuggling drugs into Ohio prison," 20 July 2017
A former Miss Kentucky USA from Louisville is accused of smuggling drugs into an Ohio prison for an inmate.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Miss Kentucky 2011 accused of smuggling drugs into Ohio prison," 20 July 2017
Activists say some defectors return to smuggle out relatives or are abducted in China and taken into the North.

— Bloomberg.com, "South Korean Police Investigating Defector's Return to North," 19 July 2017
The artifacts include ancient clay tablets featuring cuneiform writing, clay bullae, and cylinder seals, and were allegedly smuggled into the U.S via The United Arab Emirates and Israel for $1.6 million.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "A Black Deliveryman Hasn’t Been Able To Return To Work After Being Given a Homemade Noose By a Butcher," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smuggle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of smuggle

Low German smuggeln & Dutch smokkelen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1687

See Words from the same year

SMUGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

smuggle

verb

Definition of smuggle for English Language Learners

: to move (someone or something) from one country into another illegally and secretly
: to take or bring (something) secretly

SMUGGLE Defined for Kids

smuggle

verb smug·gle \ ˈsmə-gəl \

Definition of smuggle for Students

smuggled; smuggling

1 :to export or import secretly and unlawfully

They smuggled stolen goods.

2 :to take or bring secretly

It had been my intention to smuggle a couple of sandwiches …
—Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee

—

smuggler

\ˈsmə-glər\ noun

Law Dictionary

smuggle

verb smug·gle \ ˈsmə-gəl \

legal Definition of smuggle

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

Learn More about smuggle

See words that rhyme with smuggle Spanish Central: Translation of smuggle Nglish: Translation of smuggle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of smuggle for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up smuggle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

smuggle

Definition of smuggle

smuggler

Explore M-W

Examples of smuggle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of smuggle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of smuggle

SMUGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

smuggle

Definition of smuggle for English Language Learners

SMUGGLE Defined for Kids

smuggle

Definition of smuggle for Students

smuggler

Law Dictionary

smuggle

legal Definition of smuggle

Learn More about smuggle

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

I'll Have the Us(ual)

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066