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
His fear is that more cartels will shift drug production away from cocaine - a risky but far less lethal street drug – and will pivot to dealing deadlier synthetic substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamines and nitazenes that can be produced and smuggled more easily.
—
Brian Mann, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025
According to The Wall Street Journal, Machado was smuggled out of her safe house shortly before dawn on Monday, wearing a wig and a disguise, then placed into a vehicle headed for the coast.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025
According to sources familiar with the warrant, which remains under seal, a judge signed off on the warrant nearly two weeks ago because of the vessel's previous alleged role in smuggling Iranian oil.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2025
Venezuelan military bases could be among the potential targets, Cancian told , while going after the cartels would involve strikes on cartel leadership, production facilities, smuggling airfields and warehouses at ports.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Brian Mann, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025
According to The Wall Street Journal, Machado was smuggled out of her safe house shortly before dawn on Monday, wearing a wig and a disguise, then placed into a vehicle headed for the coast.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025
According to sources familiar with the warrant, which remains under seal, a judge signed off on the warrant nearly two weeks ago because of the vessel's previous alleged role in smuggling Iranian oil.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2025
Venezuelan military bases could be among the potential targets, Cancian told , while going after the cartels would involve strikes on cartel leadership, production facilities, smuggling airfields and warehouses at ports.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 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 18 Dec. 2025.
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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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