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
On June 1, using hundreds of short-range one-way attack drones smuggled deep into Russian territory, Ukraine was able to significantly damage or destroy at least 11 Russian strategic bombers as part of its Operation Spider’s Web.
—
Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Meanwhile, the Astors, who had amassed a nearly obscene amount of real estate in New York City, became the country’s first multimillionaires by smuggling opium.
—AFAR Media, 3 July 2025
In 1951, George Rau Jr., the stepson of Fred Lazarus Jr. (who founded the retail chain Lazarus, which would later become Macy's), smuggled 10 Italian lizards home from a family trip in Lake Garda, Italy.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
In March, a Pennsylvania man was caught trying to smuggle a red-ear slider turtle through security at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey by stuffing it down his pants.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Meanwhile, the Astors, who had amassed a nearly obscene amount of real estate in New York City, became the country’s first multimillionaires by smuggling opium.
—AFAR Media, 3 July 2025
In 1951, George Rau Jr., the stepson of Fred Lazarus Jr. (who founded the retail chain Lazarus, which would later become Macy's), smuggled 10 Italian lizards home from a family trip in Lake Garda, Italy.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
In March, a Pennsylvania man was caught trying to smuggle a red-ear slider turtle through security at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey by stuffing it down his pants.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 30 June 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 15 Jul. 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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