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These days, someone alleges something before presenting evidence to prove it (or perhaps without evidence at all). But the word allege comes directly from the Middle English verb alleggen, meaning "to submit (something) in evidence or as justification." (Alleggen traces back to the Anglo-French word aleger, meaning "to lighten, free, or exculpate.") Our word has at times in the past carried a meaning closer to that of its ancestor's: it was once applied when bringing someone or something forward as a source or authority in court, as in "a text alleged in support of the argument." The word has also been used to mean "to bring forward as a reason or excuse," as in these lines from Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel Jane Eyre: "I did not like to walk at this hour alone with Mr. Rochester in the shadowy orchard; but I could not find a reason to allege for leaving him."
Examples of allege in a Sentence
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
The lawsuit was filed by plaintiffs who alleged that the recruitment portion violated the First Amendment.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
And just a few days ago, Michael Jordan‘s Cincoro Tequila was hit with a similar claim, alleging that this is yet another tequila that is falsely labeled as being made from 100 percent agave, something the brand denies.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
The federal government filed two lawsuits Thursday against Southern California Edison, alleging the utility’s equipment sparked fires including January’s Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles area, which destroyed more than 9,400 structures and killed 17 people.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allege
Cite this Entry
“Allege.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allege. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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allege
verb
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