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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Recent Examples of smuggle
The tapes, later smuggled out of the country, captured Kim’s strikingly candid criticisms of his own films.
—
Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
In November, four other men received sentences ranging from 37 days to 30 months for smuggling 21 people to Guam, all of whom were Chinese nationals who the Justice Department said were attempting to avoid airport immigration checks.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The number of Starlink terminals currently in Iran is limited and smuggling more devices into the country would be dangerous and take time, according to Iranian opposition activist and cyber expert Nariman Gharib.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2026
Netflix’s The Waterfront also centers around a small-town family running a failing fishing business and padding their pockets by helping cartels smuggle drugs using their fishing boats.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
In November, four other men received sentences ranging from 37 days to 30 months for smuggling 21 people to Guam, all of whom were Chinese nationals who the Justice Department said were attempting to avoid airport immigration checks.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The number of Starlink terminals currently in Iran is limited and smuggling more devices into the country would be dangerous and take time, according to Iranian opposition activist and cyber expert Nariman Gharib.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2026
Netflix’s The Waterfront also centers around a small-town family running a failing fishing business and padding their pockets by helping cartels smuggle drugs using their fishing boats.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle
Verb
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The bill would also require businesses that sell delivery goods, such as grocery delivery providers or DoorDash, to list a comparison of the delivery price versus the regular price if the goods were to be bought in-person at the store.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
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Greg Ketter has spent nearly five decades selling comic books and science fiction novels at DreamHaven Books and Comics in Minneapolis.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our focus is on complying in a way that distributes affordable housing projects throughout the county.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Mix steak and cheese a bit to distribute cheese, then arrange over bottom half of bread.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Luckily, this look can also be achieved without buying anything new.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2026
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These vehicles, and potentially additional vehicles sold through this dealership, present a significant risk to innocent purchasers, who may unknowingly buy vehicles subject to seizure and forfeiture, resulting in both the loss of the vehicle and associated funds due to their status as contraband.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The proceeds were then used to supply munitions to anti-Communist forces in Nicaragua.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
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So haphazard was the preparation that the British government couldn’t even supply uniforms of matching colors, hence the two-color eponym.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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