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
Mexico Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said that, as with other Mexican crime scenes, about 80% of the recovered weapons were bought in the United States and smuggled across the border.
—
Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Nearly a dozen Florida gang members and associates were indicted on racketeering charges for smuggling drugs into prisons across the state and attempting to kill their own members, Orlando’s top federal prosecutor said Friday.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Pope Francis had made Lampedusa his first trip outside Rome after his 2013 election to show solidarity with migrants who landed there after being smuggled from north Africa.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Deadlock, then a daring escape While the dead and wounded were smuggled to shore and safety, the remaining sailors on board were stuck in sweltering heat, under threat from barrages from the shore, and with dwindling supplies.
—Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Nearly a dozen Florida gang members and associates were indicted on racketeering charges for smuggling drugs into prisons across the state and attempting to kill their own members, Orlando’s top federal prosecutor said Friday.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Pope Francis had made Lampedusa his first trip outside Rome after his 2013 election to show solidarity with migrants who landed there after being smuggled from north Africa.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Deadlock, then a daring escape While the dead and wounded were smuggled to shore and safety, the remaining sailors on board were stuck in sweltering heat, under threat from barrages from the shore, and with dwindling supplies.
—Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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