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
Read Next National Inmate smuggled fentanyl that killed 2 at Georgia jail, officials say.
—
Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
The couple are accused of being part of an international wildlife trafficking network that saw the majority of animals being smuggled into the European Union from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine via the Poland-Belarus border, according to the Guardia Civil.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Rumor has it that one Masters champion managed to smuggle out a Green Jacket a few years back, splashing a little Pantone 342 around at a private event and returning the garment safely to its hook before anyone at Augusta got wise to the caper.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
The couple are accused of being part of an international wildlife trafficking network that saw the majority of animals being smuggled into the European Union from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine via the Poland-Belarus border, according to the Guardia Civil.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Rumor has it that one Masters champion managed to smuggle out a Green Jacket a few years back, splashing a little Pantone 342 around at a private event and returning the garment safely to its hook before anyone at Augusta got wise to the caper.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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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