1
: accused but not proven or convicted
an alleged burglar
2
: asserted to be true or to exist
an alleged miracle
an alleged conspiracy
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
In both instances, prosecutors criminally charged the officer for their alleged inaction.
—
Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
The scandal arises out of alleged illicit on-the-job contact between state troopers assigned to the State Office Building on Capitol Avenue in Hartford and a member of the private firm that provides security at the 95-year-old headquarters for a variety of state agencies.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Police determined that the alleged shooting stemmed from a dispute.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
In the early 1980s, some hospitals in England stopped providing vitamin K as a routine recommendation due to an alleged association between the vitamin K shot and childhood cancer, and it was only recommended for children at high risk for bleeds.
—Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alleged
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Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
The scandal arises out of alleged illicit on-the-job contact between state troopers assigned to the State Office Building on Capitol Avenue in Hartford and a member of the private firm that provides security at the 95-year-old headquarters for a variety of state agencies.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Police determined that the alleged shooting stemmed from a dispute.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
In the early 1980s, some hospitals in England stopped providing vitamin K as a routine recommendation due to an alleged association between the vitamin K shot and childhood cancer, and it was only recommended for children at high risk for bleeds.
—Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alleged
Cite this Entry
“Alleged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleged. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal 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
R. G. NeumannLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
