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Smuggled: meaning, definitions and examples

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smuggled

 

[ ˈsmʌɡəld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

illegal transport

Smuggled refers to the act of transporting goods or people secretly and illegally, circumventing the law or regulations. This can involve the movement of drugs, weapons, contraband, or even individuals across borders without detection. Smuggling often occurs to evade taxes, tariffs, or legal penalties. The process can be highly organized, involving networks of individuals or can be conducted on a smaller scale by individuals acting independently. The consequences of smuggling can include severe legal repercussions for both the smuggler and those being smuggled.

Synonyms

contraband, ferry, traffic, transport illegally

Examples of usage

  • They smuggled drugs across the border.
  • He was arrested for smuggling endangered species.
  • The couple smuggled money out of the country.
  • She was caught smuggling goods in her luggage.

Translations

Translations of the word "smuggled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contrabandeado

🇮🇳 स्मगल किया गया

🇩🇪 geschmuggelte

🇮🇩 diselundupkan

🇺🇦 контрабандний

🇵🇱 przemycany

🇯🇵 密輸された

🇫🇷 contrebande

🇪🇸 contrabandeado

🇹🇷 kaçakçılık

🇰🇷 밀수된

🇸🇦 مهربان

🇨🇿 pašovaný

🇸🇰 prevážaný

🇨🇳 走私的

🇸🇮 švercan

🇮🇸 smugga

🇰🇿 контрабандалық

🇬🇪 სმuggling

🇦🇿 qaçaqmalçılıq

🇲🇽 contrabandeado

Etymology

The word 'smuggle' has its origins in the late 16th century, derived from the Dutch word 'smokkelen', which means 'to make smuggled goods'. It is theorized that this Dutch term itself may be related to the English word 'smoke', as in 'to hide or conceal', reflecting the clandestine nature of smuggling activities. The practice of smuggling can be traced back centuries and has played a significant role in trade dynamics throughout history. From the illicit trade of alcohol during Prohibition in the United States to the modern-day trafficking of drugs and humans, the concept of smuggling has evolved but remains fundamentally linked to attempts to bypass laws and regulations for profit. The evolution of smuggling techniques and methods has kept pace with changes in law enforcement and technology, making it an ongoing challenge for governments around the world.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,255, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.