smuggled; smuggling
ˈsmə-g(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to import or export secretly contrary to the law and especially without paying duties imposed by law
2
: to convey or introduce surreptitiously
: to import or export something in violation of the customs laws
Examples of smuggle in a Sentence
He was arrested for smuggling drugs into the country.
They smuggled immigrants across the border.
The paintings had been smuggled out of the country before the war.
We smuggled his favorite sandwich past the nurse.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nosferatu — which has nabbed four Critics Choice Awards noms and landed on multiple Oscar shortlists — embodies horror’s ability to smuggle in its big ideas, making powerful arguments without overt reference to the background political realities.
—
Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Across the street, the shelves of a small corner store look very different from only a few weeks ago, when shop owners had to smuggle foreign brands and hide them from most customers.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
The Sinaloa drug cartel uses drug tunnels like these throughout the Southwest to smuggle illicit narcotics and people, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) 2024 drug threat assessment
Some of these tunnels are highly advanced and equipped with electricity and ventilation.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
His mother, father and three brothers were able to reach Pakistan, after paying a thousand dollars each to get smuggled out.
—Lauren Hodges, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
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Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Across the street, the shelves of a small corner store look very different from only a few weeks ago, when shop owners had to smuggle foreign brands and hide them from most customers.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
The Sinaloa drug cartel uses drug tunnels like these throughout the Southwest to smuggle illicit narcotics and people, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) 2024 drug threat assessment
Some of these tunnels are highly advanced and equipped with electricity and ventilation.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
His mother, father and three brothers were able to reach Pakistan, after paying a thousand dollars each to get smuggled out.
—Lauren Hodges, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle
Dictionary Entries Near smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
smuggle
verb
smug·gle
ˈsmə-gəl
smuggled; smuggling
: to import or export secretly and illegally especially to avoid paying duties or to evade enforcement of laws
smuggle drugs
convicted of smuggling weapons
: to export or import something in violation of customs laws
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