1. a person who engages in the illegal import or export of goods; a smuggler
Usage: formal; sometimes historical

Examples

• The contrabandist was caught attempting to move stolen artifacts across the border.
• During the embargo, contrabandists profited by secretly trading forbidden goods.
• The authorities arrested several contrabandists operating in the port.
• Contrabandists have long exploited remote mountain passes to avoid customs.
• The novel's protagonist was a reformed contrabandist seeking redemption.