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
The Philippine vessels carried not only construction materials but also smuggled weapons.
—
Nectar Gan, CNN, 20 June 2024
Opportunists then began smuggling the product into the region via the aid packages coming in to United Nations facilities from all over the world.
—Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 19 June 2024
Jail medical staff has little oversight In September, Cooper announced his office had found a ring of six people had been smuggling drugs into the jail in exchange for money, including a woman who was working on call at the time for Avid Healthcare Services.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 18 June 2024
However, Dee Dee was caught attempting to smuggle items out of a Hobby Lobby in Gypsy’s wheelchair in 2012.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 9 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
Nectar Gan, CNN, 20 June 2024
Opportunists then began smuggling the product into the region via the aid packages coming in to United Nations facilities from all over the world.
—Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 19 June 2024
Jail medical staff has little oversight In September, Cooper announced his office had found a ring of six people had been smuggling drugs into the jail in exchange for money, including a woman who was working on call at the time for Avid Healthcare Services.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 18 June 2024
However, Dee Dee was caught attempting to smuggle items out of a Hobby Lobby in Gypsy’s wheelchair in 2012.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 9 June 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 4 Jul. 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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