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
One of the suspects, a 23-year-old man from Pinole, was already incarcerated at the facility, but intended to use the re-booking process to smuggle the drugs in, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
—
Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 9 May 2024
Authorities did not clarify whether there was an uptick in airline employees smuggling drugs or drug proceeds.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 9 May 2024
Authorities did not clarify whether there was an uptick in airline employees smuggling drugs or drug proceeds.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 8 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 1 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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