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
When Israel launched the surprise war against Iran last summer, the depth of its infiltration became evident when it was revealed that Israeli intelligence agents smuggled weapons into the country and used them to strike high-value targets from within Iranian territory.
—
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Last March, 23 inmates were charged with offenses ranging from smuggling weapons in a Doritos bag to the stabbing of a man convicted in the killing of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
In Black Panther, Killmonger’s father T’Chaka was killed by T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) father for smuggling vibranium out of Wakanda, prompting him to duel T’Challa for the throne.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Jan. 2026
The attack was an expansion of the military’s targeting area to the waters off South America where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled.
—Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Last March, 23 inmates were charged with offenses ranging from smuggling weapons in a Doritos bag to the stabbing of a man convicted in the killing of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
In Black Panther, Killmonger’s father T’Chaka was killed by T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) father for smuggling vibranium out of Wakanda, prompting him to duel T’Challa for the throne.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Jan. 2026
The attack was an expansion of the military’s targeting area to the waters off South America where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled.
—Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 3 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 8 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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