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
So in the worst sieges in Syria, people could smuggle themselves in and out.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Six Volusia County men have been sentenced to federal prison for smuggling what prosecutors call military-grade weapons to Mexican drug cartels, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025
Canada rebukes this, saying only tiny amounts of the drug are smuggled into the United States over their common border.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
But then her 2-year-old daughter smuggled a bucket of slime into the living room and slopped the blue goo on her ivory-colored rug.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Six Volusia County men have been sentenced to federal prison for smuggling what prosecutors call military-grade weapons to Mexican drug cartels, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025
Canada rebukes this, saying only tiny amounts of the drug are smuggled into the United States over their common border.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
But then her 2-year-old daughter smuggled a bucket of slime into the living room and slopped the blue goo on her ivory-colored rug.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 23 July 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 19 Aug. 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
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