plural smugglers
: one who smuggles something
The traffic in drugs—especially cocaine—to Florida by sea and air from South America has been generating wealth to rival that of the tourist trade and attracting a cadre of ingenious and ruthless smugglers from around the world.—
Jeremiah Tax
Jeremiah TaxIn nearby Nogales smugglers tunnel 6 ft. under the border and funnel people through.—Terry McCarthy
Terry McCarthyOfficials in Paraguay raided a wildlife smuggling operation in its capital city, Asunción, on March 25, recovering two critically endangered Brazilian parrots, which Paraguayan smugglers had hoped to sell in West Germany for $40,000.—Focus
FocusSynonyms of smuggler
Examples of smuggler in a Sentence
during Prohibition, smugglers of alcohol did a brisk business
Recent Examples on the Web
When the smugglers’ boat finally slammed into the sand, four men jumped out and bolted for the trees.
—Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025
But the relatively few who arrive on Spanish shores in smugglers’ boats dominate headlines and are routinely held up by far-right politicians and media as a sign of what’s wrong with the government’s stance.
—Suman Naishadham, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2025
Some had as many as 10 or more people aboard, and smugglers usually employ small crews to allow more space for drugs.
—Doug McIntyre, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025
De La Torre noted that many people cross the border illegally for economic reasons, and many don’t have the money to pay the smugglers at the time of the arrangement.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
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Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025
But the relatively few who arrive on Spanish shores in smugglers’ boats dominate headlines and are routinely held up by far-right politicians and media as a sign of what’s wrong with the government’s stance.
—Suman Naishadham, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2025
Some had as many as 10 or more people aboard, and smugglers usually employ small crews to allow more space for drugs.
—Doug McIntyre, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025
De La Torre noted that many people cross the border illegally for economic reasons, and many don’t have the money to pay the smugglers at the time of the arrangement.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggler
Cite this Entry
“Smuggler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggler. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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