Definition of smugglernext
as in runner
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally during Prohibition, smugglers of alcohol did a brisk business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 smuggler For example, when Rhode Islanders complained about how the British ship Gaspee was attacking their ships without mercy in its hunt for smugglers, the Royal Navy waved away the colonial government. Robert Parkinson, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 To get there, Sodais climbed mountains in the snow, moved from border to border with the help of smugglers, got captured a dozen times and spent time in jail. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 Prepon's next major role was as drug smuggler and love interest Alex Vause on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026 They are packed by smugglers into small and unsafe boats, with thousands dying during the perilous sea journey. ABC News, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for smuggler
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggler
Noun
  • Also on the menu are seasoned Cajun fries and homemade sauces, including options like runner, comeback and Buffalo.
    Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • Singles by Juan Soto in the fourth, Pete Crow-Armstrong in the eighth and Otto Lopez in the ninth were the only hits by the NL, which failed to advance a runner past first.
    Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Following their instructions, my father went to his bank, wired $300,000 to a nearby coin dealer, purchased gold, and handed it to a courier sent to his home.
    Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
  • Ruth Greenglass confessed to being a courier at Los Alamos and never spent a single night in jail.
    Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Gosha, a local station master, has a side-hustle of his own, turning a blind eye while bootleggers siphon diesel from the tankers that sit idly on the train tracks.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 July 2026
  • Weeth said bootleggers purchase fireworks from manufacturers in China and who, for a fee, package the fireworks in colorful branding, which are more difficult to track and often lack proper warnings.
    Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Slimmer styles including ballet flats and classic flip-flops work well, in addition to heel styles revealing more of the foot, like a mule, slingback pump or heeled thong sandal.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
  • There are plenty of mules to covet this season, from Neous’s raffia mule, to Loewe’s Origami style, named so after the way the leather folds.
    Talia Abbas, Vogue, 10 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smuggler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggler. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on smuggler

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!