alleged

adjective

al·​leged ə-ˈlejd How to pronounce alleged (audio) -ˈle-jəd How to pronounce alleged (audio)
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 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 However, in the complaint filed by prosecutors, the charges Walker faces are for alleged incidents during a much narrower time frame — from late 2018 through the end of May 2019. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024 The allegation of misconduct has quickly gone up to the highest echelons of government, with UK Health Minister Maria Caulfield on Wednesday describing the seriousness of the alleged incident. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 Idaho police are on an urgent search for an inmate and his alleged accomplice, who authorities say carried out a pre-planned prison break early Wednesday morning that left three officers injured. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 The manhunt for an escaped convict authorities considered dangerous and his alleged accomplice ended Thursday afternoon after Boise police took both men into custody. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 An escaped inmate and his alleged accomplice, both members of a white supremacist gang, were arrested in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Thursday afternoon after a massive manhunt. S. Dev, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 His alleged behavior ranged from writing inappropriate scenes to questionable physical interactions and a bullying. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2024 As a result of the alleged incident, Hagerty was charged with three felonies: one count of assaulting a police officer and two counts of attempting to disarm a police officer. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024 Some of Khan’s alleged fraud victims were elderly and, like him, Pakistani immigrants, unfamiliar with the American voting process, according to police. Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alleged.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see allege

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of alleged was in 1509

Dictionary Entries Near alleged

Cite this Entry

“Alleged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleged. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

alleged

adjective
1
: asserted to be true
especially : stated in an allegation
alleged crimes
2
: accused but not yet proven or convicted
trial of alleged war criminalsR. G. Neumann
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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