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
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Recent Examples of smuggle
The suspects were trying to smuggle drugs, cellphones and tobacco inside the plastic birds, according to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—
Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Priceless Sudanese artifacts were put up for sale on eBay after being smuggled out of the country, according to a report from the French news agency Agence France-Presse.
—Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors say that in 2024, Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj held hostage two Guatemalan nationals smuggled into the United States who had not paid smuggling fees.
—City News Service, Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Yeah, he got smuggled out of China and brought to America.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Priceless Sudanese artifacts were put up for sale on eBay after being smuggled out of the country, according to a report from the French news agency Agence France-Presse.
—Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors say that in 2024, Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj held hostage two Guatemalan nationals smuggled into the United States who had not paid smuggling fees.
—City News Service, Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Yeah, he got smuggled out of China and brought to America.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle
Verb
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The ongoing partnership continues to captivate fashion fans—while selling through, almost instantaneously.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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The president dropped by a retreat at his Doral golf club to sell the Iran war and pump up Republican lawmakers ahead of the midterm elections.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some of the bikes are used in Metro’s Adopt A Bike Grant Program, which distributes them to those in need.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Burton notes that the foundation also distributes snack packs and other practical resources that address everyday needs students may encounter during the school day.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His father bought him the plane ticket after Jeffrey found himself in a bit of a boredom rut with friends and getting into the wrong kind of trouble.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Embrace the slightly dystopian vibe and buy a bag of pellets from one of the old-timey pioneer stores to hand-feed the furry descendants.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Marzan was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines — a unit tasked with supplying troops with food, fuel, ammunition and equipment — and deployed to Kuwait to support the war effort.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Bailey Nurseries, founded in 1905, is a family-run business that supplies plants nationally and is known for its Endless Summer Hydrangeas, First Editions Plants and Easy Elegance Roses.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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