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
Sri Lankan authorities have also made several detections of large hauls of heroin and other narcotics smuggled in via small fishing boats in recent years.
—
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Two San Diego men have been sentenced for smuggling vulnerable birds into the United States, with one heading to prison and the other getting hit with thousands in fines.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The 23-year-old influencer appeared in court on April 24, where she was sentenced for her role in smuggling over 37 pounds of cannabis in a suitcase while traveling from Thailand to her home in Edinburgh in April 2025, reported the BBC and The Times.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office did charge Solis and Lopez, separately, in June and July 2025 — roughly a year after the allegations were made in the lawsuit — for allegedly smuggling Xanax into the county’s juvenile facilities.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Two San Diego men have been sentenced for smuggling vulnerable birds into the United States, with one heading to prison and the other getting hit with thousands in fines.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The 23-year-old influencer appeared in court on April 24, where she was sentenced for her role in smuggling over 37 pounds of cannabis in a suitcase while traveling from Thailand to her home in Edinburgh in April 2025, reported the BBC and The Times.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office did charge Solis and Lopez, separately, in June and July 2025 — roughly a year after the allegations were made in the lawsuit — for allegedly smuggling Xanax into the county’s juvenile facilities.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smuggle. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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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