allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌa-li-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce allegation (audio)
1
: the act of alleging something
2
: a positive assertion especially of misconduct
Some former colleagues have made serious allegations against him.
specifically : a statement by a party to a legal action of what the party undertakes to prove
3
: an assertion unsupported and by implication regarded as unsupportable

Examples of allegation in a Sentence

The police are investigating allegations that the mayor has accepted bribes. There have been allegations of fraud in the city government. You're making a serious allegation. Do you have any proof?
Recent Examples on the Web And the resignation of Harvard’s first Black president amid allegations of plagiarism and antisemitism on campus has been claimed as a victory by critics intent on dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in academia and the private sector. Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The prosecution also filed gang allegations against Burke. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Following Wood’s claims four other women came forward with similar allegations against Manson in a Vanity Fair article. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 The documentary did not include interviews with any Nazarbayev critics and Stone did not question the Kazakh leader about widespread allegations of human rights abuses. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Andy Cohen is responding to Real Housewives of New York City alum Leah McSweeney’s allegations of discrimination and substance misuse. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Day 1 of testimony in the dad's case, however, included the same allegations, the same journal entries, gun photos, videos and social media posts used in the mom's case and two of the same witnesses who helped convict Jennifer Crumbley. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Prosecutors made additional allegations in court about some of the defendants. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The second charge of evidence tampering stems from allegations that Gutierrez-Reed handed a small bag of what might have been narcotics to another crew member on the film set to avoid detection after the shooting, according to the Associated Press. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'allegation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see allege

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of allegation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near allegation

Cite this Entry

“Allegation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allegation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

allegation

noun
al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌal-i-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce allegation (audio)
1
: the act of alleging
2
: something alleged
especially : a statement not supported by proof or evidence
allegations of criminal involvement

Legal Definition

allegation

noun
al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌa-lə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce allegation (audio)
1
: the act of alleging
2
a
: a statement not yet proven
allegations in an affidavit
b
: a statement by a party to a lawsuit of what the party will attempt to prove : averment compare accusation, indictment, information, proof
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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