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

Upper Gwynedd Township first received a report about alleged abuse at the daycare on Sumneytown Pike involving Riley on March 18. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 31 July 2026

The filing also describes an alleged phone call from one of Rodriguez's associates. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

The alleged kidnapping took place on July 16 in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, which is roughly roughly 115 miles south of the Oregon border and 150 miles north of Sacramento, according to officials. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 31 July 2026

In what appears to be the author’s indication of authenticity, two alleged details were mentioned — that Guthrie’s white smart watch had been left on the floor at the foot of her bed and that the backyard’s white floodlight was destroyed. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026

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