smuggle

verb

smug·​gle ˈsmə-gəl 

smuggled; smuggling ˈsmə-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

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

Meanwhile, a person familiar with the matter said the Justice Department told the Commerce Department to pause its investigation into whether Megaspeed smuggled Nvidia’s AI chips into China. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2026

Prosecutors said Meiser smuggled the narcotics for inmates in exchange for cash and payments through Cash App, a digital wallet. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Kseniia Petrov was accused of smuggling frog embryos into the United States. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Researchers found that metal goods continued to be smuggled despite strict government restrictions, raising the possibility that authorities deliberately turned a blind eye to the practice. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Low German smuggeln & Dutch smokkelen

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for smuggle

• jugal
• juggle
• mughal
• snuggle
• struggle

Kids Definition

smuggle

verb

smug·​gle ˈsməg-əl 

smuggled; smuggling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to export or import secretly and unlawfully especially to avoid paying taxes

smuggle jewels

2

: to take, bring, or introduce secretly

smuggler

ˈsməg-lər 

noun

Legal Definition

smuggle

verb

smug·​gle ˈsmə-gəl 

smuggled; smuggling

transitive verb

: to import or export secretly and illegally especially to avoid paying duties or to evade enforcement of laws

smuggle drugs

convicted of smuggling weapons

intransitive verb

: to export or import something in violation of customs laws