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
Released in 2023, Season 1 of The Last of Us found Joel (Pascal) smuggling an immune teen, Ellie (Ramsey), out of the quarantine zone and across a post-apocalyptic America.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Multiple victims were also minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian, according to the Justice Department.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia and extradited to the U.S. a year later.
—Associated Press, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
German-Russian citizen Artur Petrov -- who is accused of smuggling U.S. technology to assist the Russian military -- was exchanged for Karelina, Russia's Federal Security Service said.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Multiple victims were also minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian, according to the Justice Department.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia and extradited to the U.S. a year later.
—Associated Press, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
German-Russian citizen Artur Petrov -- who is accused of smuggling U.S. technology to assist the Russian military -- was exchanged for Karelina, Russia's Federal Security Service said.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 20 Apr. 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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