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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Joel was originally hired by Marlene (Merle Dandridge), leader of the Firefly rebel group, to smuggle Ellie out of the Boston quarantine zone governed by military authority FEDRA and take her to the old Massachusetts State House.
—
Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Released in 2023, Season 1 of The Last of Us found Joel (Pascal) smuggling an immune teen, Ellie (Ramsey), out of the quarantine zone and across a post-apocalyptic America.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Multiple victims were also minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian, according to the Justice Department.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia and extradited to the U.S. a year later.
—Associated Press, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Released in 2023, Season 1 of The Last of Us found Joel (Pascal) smuggling an immune teen, Ellie (Ramsey), out of the quarantine zone and across a post-apocalyptic America.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Multiple victims were also minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian, according to the Justice Department.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia and extradited to the U.S. a year later.
—Associated Press, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle
Verb
-
Hims & Hers will not be selling compounded versions of Wegovy and Ozempic after May 22, following the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that the GLP-1 shortage is over.—
Hakyung Kim,
CNBC,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Amazon Haul was introduced late last year by the e-commerce giant to sell low-cost goods to compete with Temu and Shein.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Device now holds more than 2,500 retail accounts and distributes its beer from Bakersfield to Southern Oregon, according to its website.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
That strategy drew a furious response from some of the city’s employee unions, who distributed posters comparing Villaraigosa to Wisconsin’s then-Gov. Scott Walker, viewed at that time as a strident foe of organized labor.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The ultra cute pack comes with four floral socks, plus for every item bought, the brand gives back a pair to someone in need.—
Brie Schwartz,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
-
In an online space dominated by advertisements and garish displays of wealth, content that encourages users not to buy anything new can be both empowering and, in Dean’s words, kind of radical.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Brembo supplies the braking, and the new 700 boasts adjustable preload, rebound, and compression.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 2025
-
His four-year contract also supplies long-term depth.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share