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 Biden administration had highlighted Beijing’s role in committing alleged genocide in Xinjiang, human rights violations in Tibet, and the dismantling of freedoms and autonomy in Hong Kong. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025

The names of additional alleged victims, as well as Resendiz's name, were redacted from the charging documents that the Navy shared with ABC News, but Castle confirmed to ABC News in September that the murder charge Copeland is facing is related to her daughter's death. —Sarah Baniak, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025

Cobos represents 56 of the alleged victims, USA Today reports. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

The alleged attack is far from isolated. —Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025

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