smuggle
word
/ˈsməɡəɫ/
/smˈʌɡəl/
Definition
To secretly and illegally move goods or people from one place to another, especially across borders.
Usage & Nuances
'Smuggle' usually refers to illegal activity involving goods, money, or even people. Common collocations include 'smuggle drugs', 'smuggle across the border', or 'smuggle out of the country'. It is always criminal, even if the goods themselves are not illegal.
Spanish: contrabandearPortuguese (BR): contrabandearPortuguese (PT): contrabandearChinese (Simplified): 走私Chinese (Traditional): 走私Hindi: तस्करी करनाArabic: يهرّبBengali: চোরাচালান করাRussian: контрабандно провозить - переправлять тайноJapanese: 密輸するVietnamese: buôn lậuKorean: 밀수하다Turkish: kaçakçılık yapmak - gizlice geçirmekUrdu: اسمگل کرناIndonesian: menyelundupkan
Example Sentences
They tried to smuggle alcohol into the country.
basic
The police arrested him for trying to smuggle diamonds.
basic
It's risky to smuggle goods; you could end up in jail.
natural
Some people smuggle birds to sell them illegally.
basic
He managed to smuggle a phone into the prison.
natural
The gang was caught trying to smuggle people across the border.
natural