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
The other senators are immediately abuzz, and Mothma has to be smuggled out of the spherical senate chamber to avoid abduction by a turncoat.
—
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Prison officials in Costa Rica caught an unlikely suspect attempting to smuggle drugs behind bars last week.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 May 2025
On May 4, a 26-year-old-man applying for admission to the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry was caught attempting to smuggle 16 live parakeets and three live chickens, officials said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
But in the case's latest twist, federal prosecutors charged her with one count of smuggling goods into the United States.
—CBS News, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Prison officials in Costa Rica caught an unlikely suspect attempting to smuggle drugs behind bars last week.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 May 2025
On May 4, a 26-year-old-man applying for admission to the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry was caught attempting to smuggle 16 live parakeets and three live chickens, officials said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
But in the case's latest twist, federal prosecutors charged her with one count of smuggling goods into the United States.
—CBS News, 15 May 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 24 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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