allege

al·lege

verb \ə-ˈlej\

al·legedal·leg·ing

Definition of ALLEGE

transitive verb

1

archaic : to adduce or bring forward as a source or authority

2

: to assert without proof or before proving <the newspaper alleges the mayor's guilt>

3

: to bring forward as a reason or excuse

Examples of ALLEGE

1. He alleged that the mayor has accepted bribes.
2. The mayor is alleged to have accepted bribes.
3. You allege that she stole a large quantity of money. Do you have any proof?

Origin of ALLEGE

Middle English alleggen to submit in evidence or as justification, adduce, from Anglo-French aleger, allegger, probably in part modification of Medieval Latin allegare, from Latin, to send as a representative, adduce in support of a plea (from ad- + legare to depute), in part from Anglo-French aleger to lighten, free, exculpate, from Late Latin alleviare to relieve — more at legate, alleviate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ALLEGE

Synonyms: affirm, claim, assert, aver, avouch, avow, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant

Antonyms: deny, gainsay

Related Words: announce, broadcast, proclaim; argue, rationalize, reason; confirm, justify, vindicate; defend, persevere, support, uphold; reaffirm, reassert

Near Antonyms: abandon; disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate; challenge, dispute, question; confute, disprove, rebut, refute; contradict, counter

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Rhymes with ALLEGE

frankpledge, hard-edge, knife-edge, nutsedge, old sledge, on edge, straightedge