as in runners
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
during Prohibition, smugglers of alcohol did a brisk business
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smugglers
Nicolas Niarchos, checking a piece by Ben Taub, called up one of the most powerful smugglers in the Sahel, who cheerfully confirmed every detail, including his trafficking of humans.
—
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The island chain is along routes that smugglers use to import cocaine, marijuana and other narcotics into the United States.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Coyote smugglers have taken to throwing rope ladders over the 30-foot barrier or using steel rods shaped to hook over the fence.
—Adam Powell, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Since the ability to smuggle in narcotics and humans by simply walking over the border has been eliminated, smugglers are now forced to think of another way to enter our nation.
—Mike Garcia, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2025
What are common misconceptions about human smugglers?
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
In its travels around Brazil and America, the stone has wreaked havoc on the lives of smugglers, schemers and dreamers.
—Clara Harter, Sun Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Five unnamed chip smugglers told The Information that they were not caught by Supermicro’s recent inspections.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 19 Dec. 2024
Biden has already imposed limitations on the advanced chips that companies like Nvidia can export to China, but there are concerns that Chinese firms are able to buy or access them in other countries or from smugglers.
—Dave Lawler, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The island chain is along routes that smugglers use to import cocaine, marijuana and other narcotics into the United States.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Coyote smugglers have taken to throwing rope ladders over the 30-foot barrier or using steel rods shaped to hook over the fence.
—Adam Powell, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Since the ability to smuggle in narcotics and humans by simply walking over the border has been eliminated, smugglers are now forced to think of another way to enter our nation.
—Mike Garcia, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2025
What are common misconceptions about human smugglers?
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
In its travels around Brazil and America, the stone has wreaked havoc on the lives of smugglers, schemers and dreamers.
—Clara Harter, Sun Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Five unnamed chip smugglers told The Information that they were not caught by Supermicro’s recent inspections.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 19 Dec. 2024
Biden has already imposed limitations on the advanced chips that companies like Nvidia can export to China, but there are concerns that Chinese firms are able to buy or access them in other countries or from smugglers.
—Dave Lawler, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smugglers
Noun
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And Bryce Harper made a play on a bunt, darting into the infield and throwing the ball to Alec Bohm at third for a force-out to keep runners on first and second.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Iced water bottles have become the norm, and runners are now asking for more than one to stay cool.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Although the question remains, how will the delivery couriers get in without a membership?—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Sanitation workers, couriers, and police officers could remain comfortable for longer periods without removing layers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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No real effort is made to stop audio bootleggers, and pristine tapes of these shows have emerged, but the video documentation is scattershot and borderline unwatchable since the rule-breakers are often miles from the stage and forced to film at covert angles.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
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Sharon Stone co-stars as a mob boss with a few screws loose — her gang of bootleggers toggles with Hutch, threatening to ruin everyone’s R&R.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smugglers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smugglers. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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