alleged

1 of 2

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]

alleged

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of allege

Examples of alleged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Davis argued that Slotkin described targeting junior personnel and young professionals to discourage them from serving, rather than solely to pursue justice for alleged misconduct. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Crump said the officers’ response — running at the vehicle with guns drawn to apprehend alleged shoplifters — was excessive and reckless. — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Avery told the judge that the FBI first contacted him in 2021 to inform him that Gonzalez was being investigated over an alleged plot to kill him. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

The identity of her alleged abuser was not immediately clear from the information in the motion. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of allege

First Known Use

Adjective

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