alleged

adjective

al·​leged ə-ˈlejd  -ˈle-jəd 

1

: accused but not proven or convicted

an alleged burglar

2

: asserted to be true or to exist

an alleged miracle

an alleged conspiracy

3

: questionably true or of a specified kind : supposed, so-called

bought an alleged antique vase

allegedly

ə-ˈle-jəd-lē 

adverb

She allegedly stole the money. [=she is alleged to have stolen the money]

Examples of alleged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The papers argued that the death penalty charge should be dismissed because prosecutors have failed to identify the other offenses that would be required to convict him, writing that the other alleged crime — stalking — is not a crime of violence. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025

Following the internal investigation, Del Río was fired and escorted off the lot, the same day that the alleged assault was reported. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025

One alleged tell is the Nittany Lions run wherever tight end Khalil Dinkins blocks. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

The alleged assault was reported and internally investigated by the studio on October 2. —Zoë Haylock, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of allege

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for alleged

• dredged
• edged
• fledged
• hedged
• pledged
• wedged
• unpledged

Legal Definition

alleged

adjective

al·​leged ə-ˈlejd, -ˈle-jəd 

1

: asserted to be true

especially : stated in an allegation

alleged crimes

2

: accused but not yet proven or convicted

trial of alleged war criminals

—R. G. Neumann