illegal smuggling
1
3.8
- noun
- /ɪˈliːɡəl ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/
- NSFW
:
contrabando ilegal
- The reason there's so much illegal immigration in AZ is that fences along the California border have been effective in diverting illegal smuggling operations to the AZ border.
Examples
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Authorities arrested several individuals for their involvement in illegal smuggling of drugs.
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I think I'm going to risk deportation and start an illegal smuggling ring of toilet paper to the US.
Blog text (2) -
As an integral part of my plan for reform, I will reach an accord with neighboring countries to improve security along our borders and stop illegal smuggling.
Academic text (2004) -
What they didn't want you to know was that the US government could have prevented this and even encouraged gun dealers to sell firearms to people suspected of purchasing firearms for illegal smuggling to Mexico.
Blog text (9) -
The government launched a campaign to combat illegal smuggling across the border.
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Efforts to stop illegal smuggling have increased due to rising crime rates and border security concerns.
Synonyms
183
5.6
Illegal buying and selling of people, animals and goods often across borders
81
4.5
To bring banned goods into or out of a country without paying taxes
How Serious
- NSFW
183
5.6
- NSFW
1
3.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from its constituents: 'smuggling' (secret transfer across borders) modified by 'illegal' (contrary to law) yields 'smuggling that violates the law.' Although slightly pleonastic because smuggling typically implies illegality, the composition is fully compositional and mirrors equivalent constructions in other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will understand it.
Etymology
Illegal smuggling gives a clear image: smuggling is hiding goods or people to move them across a border. The word illegal means 'against the law', so together the phrase means moving things or people in secret to break the law.