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
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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
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A former Miss Kentucky USA from Louisville is accused of smuggling drugs into an Ohio prison for an inmate.
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Activists say some defectors return to smuggle out relatives or are abducted in China and taken into the North.
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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.
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The objects are believed to come from Iraq, where they were smuggled into other Middle Eastern countries.
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Four months ago, the U.N. published an exhaustive report documenting how Kim's government smuggles nuclear materials, cash and ammunition through an elaborate underground web of foreign enablers, skirting the existing sanctions.
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The DOJ said the company smuggled the artifacts into the United States, and the arts and crafts chain on Wednesday agreed to a settlement with the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
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Airline bombings in Egypt and Somalia in recent months were both blamed on explosives smuggled aboard planes.
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The tax cuts for the rich and reductions in health-care subsidies that McConnell wants to smuggle into a bill patching up the exchanges are hideously unpopular.
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
SMUGGLE Defined for English Language Learners
smuggle
playDefinition of smuggle for English Language Learners
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: to move (someone or something) from one country into another illegally and secretly
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: to take or bring (something) secretly
SMUGGLE Defined for Kids
smuggle
playDefinition 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\ nounLaw Dictionary
smuggle
playLegal Definition of smuggle
smuggled
smuggling
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Learn More about smuggle
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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
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