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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of smuggle
Nosferatu — which has nabbed four Critics Choice Awards noms and landed on multiple Oscar shortlists — embodies horror’s ability to smuggle in its big ideas, making powerful arguments without overt reference to the background political realities.
—
Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Across the street, the shelves of a small corner store look very different from only a few weeks ago, when shop owners had to smuggle foreign brands and hide them from most customers.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
The Sinaloa drug cartel uses drug tunnels like these throughout the Southwest to smuggle illicit narcotics and people, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) 2024 drug threat assessment
Some of these tunnels are highly advanced and equipped with electricity and ventilation.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
His mother, father and three brothers were able to reach Pakistan, after paying a thousand dollars each to get smuggled out.
—Lauren Hodges, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle 
Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Across the street, the shelves of a small corner store look very different from only a few weeks ago, when shop owners had to smuggle foreign brands and hide them from most customers.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
The Sinaloa drug cartel uses drug tunnels like these throughout the Southwest to smuggle illicit narcotics and people, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) 2024 drug threat assessment
Some of these tunnels are highly advanced and equipped with electricity and ventilation.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
His mother, father and three brothers were able to reach Pakistan, after paying a thousand dollars each to get smuggled out.
—Lauren Hodges, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smuggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggle
Verb
-
In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. for $7.2 million, with the territory soon placed under the control of the U.S. Army.—
James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made by History ,
TIME,
23 Jan. 2025
-
And, of course, Equifax will sell your EDR to anyone who’s buying, including debt collectors.—
Kim Komando,
USA TODAY,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, there have been some critics in Congress of how some foreign aid is distributed.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Federation Studios will distribute the series internationally.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Read on to see what items our readers bought in droves this month.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Consumers who installed solar panels or bought an electric vehicle in 2024 will still receive their tax credits, the company said.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Indianapolis Colts Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State Warren is a do-it-all tight end who can make plays from multiple alignments, supplying Anthony Richardson with a go-to target.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
-
What exactly we were being inspired to do, besides fire up Netflix or Apple TV+, remained unstated — an early red flag that this new kind of Hollywood power player could not be counted on to supply studios with an appetite for risk.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near smuggle
Cite this Entry
“Smuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggle. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share