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
Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
The family moved to what became the Krakow ghetto, and Zamczyk and other children would find ways to get out under the ghetto walls and smuggle food back to their families.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties served as distribution hubs for cocaine smuggled by Wedding’s organization, federal authorities charge.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The Alabama Solution In The Alabama Solution, shot largely on cell phones smuggled into a prison by its inmates, The Jinx filmmaker Andrew Jarecki and co-director Charlotte Kauffman investigate systemic issues at Easterling Correctional Facility.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
The family moved to what became the Krakow ghetto, and Zamczyk and other children would find ways to get out under the ghetto walls and smuggle food back to their families.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties served as distribution hubs for cocaine smuggled by Wedding’s organization, federal authorities charge.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The Alabama Solution In The Alabama Solution, shot largely on cell phones smuggled into a prison by its inmates, The Jinx filmmaker Andrew Jarecki and co-director Charlotte Kauffman investigate systemic issues at Easterling Correctional Facility.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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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