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
Joel was originally hired by Marlene (Merle Dandridge), leader of the Firefly rebel group, to smuggle Ellie out of the Boston quarantine zone governed by military authority FEDRA and take her to the old Massachusetts State House.
—
Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Released in 2023, Season 1 of The Last of Us found Joel (Pascal) smuggling an immune teen, Ellie (Ramsey), out of the quarantine zone and across a post-apocalyptic America.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Multiple victims were also minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian, according to the Justice Department.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia and extradited to the U.S. a year later.
—Associated Press, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Released in 2023, Season 1 of The Last of Us found Joel (Pascal) smuggling an immune teen, Ellie (Ramsey), out of the quarantine zone and across a post-apocalyptic America.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Multiple victims were also minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian, according to the Justice Department.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia and extradited to the U.S. a year later.
—Associated Press, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smuggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle
Verb
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To offset the tariff costs, Williams, who runs his business alone, raised the price of his game slightly on Amazon – his primary sales platform – and has already noticed the games sold at a slower pace.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
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The quick-service restaurant sells birria burritos, street tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas and more.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Device now holds more than 2,500 retail accounts and distributes its beer from Bakersfield to Southern Oregon, according to its website.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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That strategy drew a furious response from some of the city’s employee unions, who distributed posters comparing Villaraigosa to Wisconsin’s then-Gov. Scott Walker, viewed at that time as a strident foe of organized labor.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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All the Latest Tech, Tested by Our Experts Sign up for the Lab Report newsletter to receive PCMag's latest product reviews, buying advice, and insights.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
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Sure, the Bears did a masterful job of fortifying the interior of the offensive line in March, buying themselves flexibility to navigate the draft with eyes scanning in all directions.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His four-year contract also supplies long-term depth.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Brembo supplies the braking, and the new 700 boasts adjustable preload, rebound, and compression.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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