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 Greens smuggle his charred remains back to the Red Keep away from the public eye, revealing that Prince Aemond's (Ewan Mitchell) lawless play left his brother completely transformed.
—
EW.com, 15 July 2024
At the same crossing point in 2023, a woman had reportedly been stopped trying to smuggle in five pet snakes hidden inside her bra.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 July 2024
Man stopped at customs with 100 live snakes down his pants
Officers in China caught a man trying to smuggle dozens of snakes through customs by stuffing them into his pants.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 July 2024
Last June, a California man was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to smuggling more than 800 people into Washington state from Canada using 17 Uber accounts, per the Department of Justice.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
EW.com, 15 July 2024
At the same crossing point in 2023, a woman had reportedly been stopped trying to smuggle in five pet snakes hidden inside her bra.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 July 2024
Man stopped at customs with 100 live snakes down his pants
Officers in China caught a man trying to smuggle dozens of snakes through customs by stuffing them into his pants.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 July 2024
Last June, a California man was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to smuggling more than 800 people into Washington state from Canada using 17 Uber accounts, per the Department of Justice.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smuggle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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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