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 alleged pimp, Kevin Mays, was an assistant men’s basketball coach and former player at Cal State Bakersfield. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026

Her attorneys argued prosecutors failed to obtain a search warrant to examine the devices while investigating alleged witness intimidation. —Kristina Rex, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

McCarthy used congressional hearings to expose the extent of alleged Communist infiltration. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026

Attorney General Ken Paxton warned the Austin Independent School District that it could be fined $5,000 daily for alleged violations of Texas' new bathroom bill. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 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