smuggler

noun

smug·​gler ˈsmə-glər How to pronounce smuggler (audio)
plural smugglers
Synonyms of smugglernext
: one who smuggles something
The traffic in drugs—especially cocaine—to Florida by sea and air from South America has been generating wealth to rival that of the tourist trade and attracting a cadre of ingenious and ruthless smugglers from around the world.Jeremiah Tax
In nearby Nogales smugglers tunnel 6 ft. under the border and funnel people through.Terry McCarthy
Officials in Paraguay raided a wildlife smuggling operation in its capital city, Asunción, on March 25, recovering two critically endangered Brazilian parrots, which Paraguayan smugglers had hoped to sell in West Germany for $40,000.Focus

Examples of smuggler in a Sentence

during Prohibition, smugglers of alcohol did a brisk business
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Police operations led to the arrest of 480 smugglers last year, the French Interior Ministry said. Arkansas Online, 24 Apr. 2026 Police operations led to the arrest of 480 smugglers last year, the French Interior Minister said. ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Founded in 1974 by a marijuana smuggler, the notorious weed magazine had not published an issue in several years. Steve Bloom, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026 The characterization that those killed in the attacks are drug-smugglers has been disputed at times by families of the dead. Dennis Romero, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smuggler

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smuggler was in 1661

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Cite this Entry

“Smuggler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggler. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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