SMUGGLE Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

smuggle

verb

Definition of smuggle

as in to sell

to move (people or goods) from one country to another secretly and illegally They were arrested for smuggling drugs across the border.

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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 smuggle The couple was involved in transactions that saw American black bear gallbladders and cougar bones being smuggled into Vietnam, as well as black and white rhinoceros horns, lion teeth and a tiger pelt being illegally imported to Oregon. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 Amnesty has reported abuses against miners in areas taken over by M23 and alleged that gold and coltan are smuggled into Rwanda. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 No, the scene exists so that Fielder can smuggle in some of his signature comedy fixations. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 But at sea, Spanish guarda costas (armed customs officials) pounced on British ships, allegedly searching for goods being smuggled in for sale. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smuggle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle

Verb

The verdict St Vincent possesses an unexplored, get-away-from-it-all tranquillity that many more boisterous Caribbean islands would sell their last rum punch for.

— James Rampton, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
The three suspects — two Greeks and one Albanian national — are accused of removing piping from the building’s gas supply network to sell the copper as scrap, causing a major gas leak.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sell

Verb

Between 1919 and 1948, Micheaux wrote, produced, directed, and distributed more than 40 films entirely outside the studio system, carrying his prints by train, pitching theater owners in person and putting his work in front of audiences himself.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
The products were distributed between October and December 2025.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of distribute

Verb

The seven-year alliance focuses on supplying critical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes and synthetic graphite anodes to meet surging demand for affordable EVs and data center energy storage systems.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2026
Built in the 1860s to supply water to the nearby Lambeth Workhouse, where Charlie Chaplin lived with his mother when the family fell into poverty, this former piece of civic infrastructure has since taken on a very different purpose.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of supply

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smug

smuggle

smuggled

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“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of smuggle

verb

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