contraband
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for contraband, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Goods that are illegal to own, trade, or smuggle.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bootleg
smuggled
Antonyms
How to use contraband
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
contraband goods
smuggle contraband
confiscate contraband
Etymology
From Spanish contrabanda, from Italian contrabando, built from contra ("against") and bando ("ban"), reinforced later by French contrebande.
Full origin of contraband →Frequently asked questions
What does “contraband” mean?
The word “contraband” means goods that are illegal to own, trade, or smuggle. In plain terms, goods that are banned or smuggled illegally.
How do you pronounce “contraband”?
“Contraband” is pronounced KON-truh-band (/ˈkɑn.tɹəˌbænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “contraband” in a sentence?
Here is “contraband” used in a sentence: “Customs officers found contraband cigarettes hidden inside the truck.”
What part of speech is “contraband”?
Depending on how it is used, “contraband” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “contraband” come from?
The word “contraband” comes from French. From Spanish contrabanda, from Italian contrabando, built from contra ("against") and bando ("ban"), reinforced later by French contrebande.
Is “contraband” a common word?
“Contraband” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “contraband” have?
“Contraband” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: goods that are illegal to own, trade, or smuggle.
