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
This indictment comes weeks after a jury in Sacramento convicted three Aryan Brotherhood members of murder conspiracies and other crimes, including smuggling drugs into prison.
—
Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
Rum has long been a part of life and culture in the Bahamas (like other Caribbean islands), where rum was distilled from sugar cane and smuggled into the United States during Prohibition.
—Amy Bentley, Orange County Register, 29 May 2024
Federal prosecutors in New York announced charges against four flight attendants on May 8 for smuggling $8 million in drug money using their enhanced security clearance.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
The Los Angeles Times reported in 1994 a poacher sliced off bear claws to be made into jewelry and then smuggled it to countries in Asia, where such commodities can go for thousands of dollars.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
Rum has long been a part of life and culture in the Bahamas (like other Caribbean islands), where rum was distilled from sugar cane and smuggled into the United States during Prohibition.
—Amy Bentley, Orange County Register, 29 May 2024
Federal prosecutors in New York announced charges against four flight attendants on May 8 for smuggling $8 million in drug money using their enhanced security clearance.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
The Los Angeles Times reported in 1994 a poacher sliced off bear claws to be made into jewelry and then smuggled it to countries in Asia, where such commodities can go for thousands of dollars.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smuggle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
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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