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
Precision weapons were also smuggled in and used to target surface-to-air missile systems, clearing the way for Israel’s Air Force to carry out more than 100 strikes with upward of 200 aircraft in the early hours of Friday local time.
—
Leila Gharagrozlou, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Israel has launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Two Chinese nationals recently made headlines for smuggling a fungus into America, which is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 12 June 2025
Bringing birds into the U.S. illegally prevents officials from examining and quarantining them, creating potential public health risks, as birds smuggled into the country can carry Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
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Leila Gharagrozlou, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Israel has launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Two Chinese nationals recently made headlines for smuggling a fungus into America, which is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 12 June 2025
Bringing birds into the U.S. illegally prevents officials from examining and quarantining them, creating potential public health risks, as birds smuggled into the country can carry Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 11 June 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 17 Jun. 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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