as in runners
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
during Prohibition, smugglers of alcohol did a brisk business
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smugglers
Agents were discovering players and then paying smugglers to transport them.
—
Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
On July 9, 2023, a relative paid at least $1,000 to the organization due to the threats, but prosecutors said the smugglers continued demanding additional payments to multiple accounts before releasing the family.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Inspectors roam elaborate tunnels used by tomb raiders and smugglers over different eras.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Eastern Libya has become a key launch point for smugglers, undercutting years of EU efforts to curb departures and making Crete a new pressure point.
—Lefteris Pitarakis, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Eastern Libya has become a key launch point for smugglers, undercutting years of EU efforts to curb departures and making Crete a new pressure point.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
Their bid to cash in on the find quickly unravels into a dangerous pursuit, as smugglers and rivals close in and an unlikely band of companions, including a resourceful fish vendor and a volatile local troublemaker, get swept up in the mayhem.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
These patrols sometimes use violent tactics to stop the smugglers' boats, endangering those on board.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Allen’s agency is encouraging Poland to streamline the application process for economic migrants; this could ease the pressure on the asylum system and discourage smugglers.
—Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
On July 9, 2023, a relative paid at least $1,000 to the organization due to the threats, but prosecutors said the smugglers continued demanding additional payments to multiple accounts before releasing the family.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Inspectors roam elaborate tunnels used by tomb raiders and smugglers over different eras.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Eastern Libya has become a key launch point for smugglers, undercutting years of EU efforts to curb departures and making Crete a new pressure point.
—Lefteris Pitarakis, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Eastern Libya has become a key launch point for smugglers, undercutting years of EU efforts to curb departures and making Crete a new pressure point.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
Their bid to cash in on the find quickly unravels into a dangerous pursuit, as smugglers and rivals close in and an unlikely band of companions, including a resourceful fish vendor and a volatile local troublemaker, get swept up in the mayhem.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
These patrols sometimes use violent tactics to stop the smugglers' boats, endangering those on board.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Allen’s agency is encouraging Poland to streamline the application process for economic migrants; this could ease the pressure on the asylum system and discourage smugglers.
—Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smugglers
Noun
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The runners advanced when McLean bounced a curveball, and Garcia followed with a sac fly to center.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
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This 9+1 program helps local New Yorkers qualify and filters out wealthy people who have minimal free time—or can spend their free time on expensive diversions—all while helping new runners train and stay motivated.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Wellington said the victim was persuaded to convert assets into gold and provided it to individuals who posed as couriers.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2026
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Victims were then instructed to withdraw their savings, purchase gold bars, and hand them over to couriers.—
Daniel Wilkerson,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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From embracing bootleggers to pulling its catalog from Spotify, Mackenzie explains how the band has tried to protect its creative core while the industry transforms around it.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Groucho Marx stars as the new president of Huxley College, who attempts to sign on two pro players to help beat rival Darwin University but ends up getting a pair of bootleggers instead.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smugglers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smugglers. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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