TRAFFICKING Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

trafficking

verb

present participle of traffic

as in dealing

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property arrested him for trafficking in drugs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 trafficking Police didn’t say if the drivers were charged with any crime, like, maybe trafficking furniture or grand theft ottoman. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026 Paul Robinson, the Pittsburgh attorney and father charged in the alleged Penn State fraternity cocaine trafficking ring, has spoken out about the case for the first time since being indicted last month. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 Despite a major drug- and gold-trafficking scandal allegedly involving some senior PAM members, several of whom were sentenced to prison, the party weathered the political fallout and won more seats than in the previous election. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026 The store’s owner, 40-year-old Amer Alowdi, was indicted for allegedly trafficking narcotics in 2022, officials said. — Anthony Cusumano, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2026 By comparison, a total of 1,340 people were sentenced for a federal drug trafficking offense involving a drug overdose between fiscal years 2019 to 2023, according to a 2025 report from the US Sentencing Commission. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 Starting today, those who wish to continue trafficking in lies about these Good Ocean Springs People will be held accountable to the maximum extent of the law. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026 Nanhoe is now facing federal charges in Miami of smuggling goods from the United States, delivering firearms to a common carrier without providing notice and trafficking in firearms. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026 Under the policy, trafficking concerns must now go through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which controls the children’s custody, raising fears legitimate cases will be missed or delayed. — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trafficking

Verb

But when a traumatic encounter sends Tonya spiraling back into addiction—and back into the dangerous orbit of her drug-dealing ex-husband, Ronny (Alexander)—her fragile progress begins to unravel.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
The latest homeless count showed an increase in the number of people living on the street, dealing a setback to a mayor who staked her reputation on the issue.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of dealing

Verb

The owner of a San Gabriel Valley technology company was arrested Thursday after federal prosecutors charged him with smuggling more than $300 million of restricted computer hardware to China.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Sanon and several associates flew to Haiti from South Florida on a private jet, smuggling a handful of ballistic vests supplied by a Doral-area security company, prosecutors said.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of smuggling

Verb

Many advisors also aim to reduce your lifetime tax bill with such strategies as selling profitable assets during your lower income years.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Fremantle, which has a first-look deal with Me+You, is selling the show globally.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026