as in to sell
to move (people or goods) from one country to another secretly and illegally
They were arrested for smuggling drugs across the border.
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Recent Examples of smuggle
More than a dozen people, including Israeli reserve soldiers, face charges of profiting from the Israel-Hamas war by smuggling goods that could benefit Hamas.
—
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Iran seizes oil tankers Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Nine people are facing federal charges after allegedly orchestrating an elaborate multi-state scheme to fraudulently purchase firearms and smuggle the weapons into Mexico.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Until the Red Wings make the playoffs and fans start smuggling dead cephalopods into Little Caesars Arena, the rats are king.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Iran seizes oil tankers Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Nine people are facing federal charges after allegedly orchestrating an elaborate multi-state scheme to fraudulently purchase firearms and smuggle the weapons into Mexico.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Until the Red Wings make the playoffs and fans start smuggling dead cephalopods into Little Caesars Arena, the rats are king.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle
Verb
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Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Coco frio, also known as fresh coconut water, is a refreshment commonly sold by street vendors on the island.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Logical Pictures Group said that the deal strengthened its historic links with Gondry and his longtime producer Georges Bermann at Partizan, forged by The Jokers Films, which distributed the director’s 2023 drama The Book of solutions and Maya Give Me A Title.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
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The handouts are intended to be distributed in recreational areas such as parks, nature preserves and hiking trails.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The child may use the money without penalty to help pay for college or buy a first home.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Nightmare fuel that won’t make anyone rush out to buy a grooming kit.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Due to weather conditions, firefighters initiated a second alarm as mutual aid from the Southington and New Britain Fire Departments supplied station coverage, according to fire officials.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
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The Factbook also supplied superlatives that trivia buffs could count on, issuing Daily Facts of historical and geographical significance.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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