Definition of smugglernext
as in runner
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally during Prohibition, smugglers of alcohol did a brisk business

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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 smuggler Such go-fast boats were designed for offshore racing but were later commandeered by drug smugglers in South Florida during the 1980s. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Esteban and Maria paid the smuggler, who did not go on the trip, between $10,000 and $12,000, the complaint states. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 Still, despite the typical procedural formula with cases tied to gun smugglers, cartel assassins and kidnappings, the show remains topical enough to keep viewers engaged. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 Florida has a colorful history as a haven for smugglers and scammers. — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smuggler
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smuggler
Noun
  • In Utah, dozens of runners and volunteers who were part of the Moab 240 ultramarathon were evacuated Sunday after being stranded by flooding.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For rock climbers, there’s Shawangunk Ridge; for hikers there’s Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park; and for the trail runner there’s the 22-mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail just beyond the hotel’s back door.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In the 1990s, Nigerian rings often trafficked drugs from Southeast Asia to Chicago via couriers, according to the Justice Department.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Detectives seized the home’s surveillance system, which showed a man named Jiajia Fan assigning customers to the women, collecting payment and turning over the money to a courier, Pinner wrote.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Artificial intelligence developers have borrowed the word to describe boiling down a big AI model into a smaller one—and lately the biggest AI companies say that rivals have been distilling like bootleggers.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Others are following the Styles pop-up playbook and fully leaning into exclusivity — offering not just apparel, but also experiences that fans can’t get from the bootleggers.
    — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Russell paired a tartan cape with a pair of jeans and a heeled mule, watching as Boyd worked her own Barbour ensemble for photos.
    — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Recognized for its extended vamp (that is, the upper portion of the shoe), this style lives at the intersection of a ballerina, a loafer, and a mule.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Smuggler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smuggler. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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