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 indictment published online on Saturday shows Maduro and his alleged conspirators face narco-terrorism conspiracy and other charges. —Liz Napolitano,fred Imbert, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026

Maduro was indicted in an American court for alleged narcoterrorism in 2020. —CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

Trump touted the money his administration is bringing in through tariffs and promised to recover the dollars lost to alleged fraud. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026

The alleged attacks by Faceworld members were not limited to the city. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 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