smuggle

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈsmʌɡəl/ UK /ˈsmʌɡəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #12182

Meanings

1

verb
to move goods or people secretly and illegally across a border or through controls

They tried to smuggle watches through customs.
2

verb
to bring something in secretly or without permission

She smuggled snacks into the theater.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to move goods or people... trafficrun contraband

2 verb · to bring something in... sneak inslip in

Opposites

declareexport legally

Word family

Derived forms smuggledsmugglingsmuggler

Related forms contraband customs

Etymology

Probably from Dutch smokkelen, "to smuggle," related to Germanic words for acting secretly or slipping through. The core idea is hidden movement past rules or borders.

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

markdown