allegation

al·le·ga·tion | \ ˌa-li-ˈgā-shən

Definition of allegation

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 Administrative leave gives Satsuma police time to investigate the allegation, Harrell said. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, "Alabama police officer put on leave after viral Facebook post claims he abused his power," 6 July 2020 According to reports, the allegation about the Russian bounties was included in a February briefing. — Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner, "Pelosi: ‘The White House put on a con’ about Russia bounty claim," 2 July 2020 The foreclosure was triggered by an allegation that Menéndez Soto was behind on her hazard insurance. — USA Today, "Hurricane fallout creates financial ruin for Puerto Rico's seniors with reverse mortgages," 2 July 2020 The new allegation could add 10 years in prison to the potential 20 years Gadzhiev faces on the original charges. — Wired Staff, Wired, "One Free Press Coalition Spotlights Journalists Under Attack," 1 July 2020 The controller’s report highlighted that allegation as evidence of the need for greater external oversight for Public Works’ contracting. — Dominic Fracassa, SFChronicle.com, "SF controller recommends ways to clean up contracting at Public Works," 29 June 2020 Detectives from the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station are investigating the allegation concerning the drink purchased from the Starbucks in Diamond Bar, Deputy Trina Schrader told NBC News. — Janelle Griffith, NBC News, "An off-duty cop says a tampon was put in his Target Starbucks Frappuccino. Target denies it.," 24 June 2020 Another allegation from 2016, was declined by prosecutors because of insufficient evidence. — Andrew Dalton, Fortune, "Adult film star Ron Jeremy charged with raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth," 23 June 2020 Some news outlets framed their stories around specific angles, like Bolton's allegation that Trump sought reelection help from China, while other outlets went with more general headlines trying to cram everything under one umbrella. — Brian Stelter, CNN, "Trump says coronavirus is 'dying out;' Dr. Sanjay Gupta says the virus is not dying," 18 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allegation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.