contraband

adjective

Definition of contrabandnext
as in prohibited
not legally permissible to possess, import, or export The customs agents searched the shipping containers for contraband items.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of contraband Officers searched the restroom and found a package of contraband drugs, including K2, high-potency THC wax and suboxone strips. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 His current release date is scheduled for March 2028, a recent change after he was reportedly caught using a contraband cell phone to scroll on Instagram. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 Members of the board questioned the Menendez brothers during their hearing last year about violating prison rules, including using contraband cellphones. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Faced with this churn – as well as staffing, security and contraband-control concerns – many jails invest little in family visitation. — Jillian Turanovic, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026 He was sentenced 20 years for the contraband conviction and six months for the assault and battery, all to be served concurrently. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 The contraband sale of oil and gasoline has become a multibillion-dollar business in Mexico, with the government accusing crime groups of working hand-in-glove with corrupt officials and businesses. — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 The indictment also charges four current and former federal inmates accused of coordinating drops using contraband cellphones. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2026 The Australian government announced a recent contraband haul that would make most peoples' skin crawl. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraband
  1. unauthorized
  2. smuggled
  3. forbidden
  4. illicit
Adjective
  • Faced with a seemingly impossible challenge, a human might simply give up rather than resort to these kinds of unauthorized steps.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI recently disclosed six cases of concerning model behavior, and Anthropic has also admitted its models gained unauthorized access to three organizations’ systems during testing.
    — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of unauthorized
Adjective
  • The smuggled animals, which were imported from both Hong Kong and Mexico without permits, included Mexican beaded lizards, Mexican box turtles and Yucatan box turtles and baby crocodiles, prosecutors said.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 31 May 2026
  • Lang calls Atterton, who’s in his prison cell with a smuggled phone, to tell him the job is done and that both Bailey-Brown and Sam have been terminated.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of smuggled
Adjective
  • As a forbidden attraction grows between the two men, tragedy unleashes supernatural forces upon their deeply religious community.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Their forbidden love leads the Jade Emperor to decree their separation on opposite sides of the Milky Way.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of forbidden
Adjective
  • The group’s president and CEO, Steve Lamar, said the AAFA is urging stronger action against platforms that enable the trade of dupes and fakes, which can be dangerous to consumers as the illicit goods are produced through unregulated operations.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Both local and federal investigators are investigating the source and supplier of the illicit drugs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of illicit

Browse Nearby Words

contra
contraband
contrabandist
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Cite this Entry

“Contraband.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraband. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contraband

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contraband

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