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
South Sudan’s mining ministry rejected Swissaid’s view that most gold exports were smuggled out of the country.
—
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
They were offered $100,000 to successfully smuggle the cocaine into Miami, the report reads.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 6 Dec. 2025
About four months later, mother-of-three Dawn Sturgess, 44, died from exposure to the poison after her partner found a counterfeit perfume bottle which Russian spies had used to smuggle the military-grade nerve agent into the country, the inquiry said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Watch Kenny Chesney recall how Jimmy’s ashes were smuggled into the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame below.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
They were offered $100,000 to successfully smuggle the cocaine into Miami, the report reads.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 6 Dec. 2025
About four months later, mother-of-three Dawn Sturgess, 44, died from exposure to the poison after her partner found a counterfeit perfume bottle which Russian spies had used to smuggle the military-grade nerve agent into the country, the inquiry said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Watch Kenny Chesney recall how Jimmy’s ashes were smuggled into the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame below.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 4 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 12 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share