allege

verb

ə-ˈlej How to pronounce allege (audio)
Definition of allegenext
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully alleged that the restaurant chain was engaging in discriminatory hiring practices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of allege OpenAI has pushed back against wrongful death and product liability lawsuits, alleging user misuse and violation of usage policies. — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 In a second complaint unsealed Wednesday, authorities allege that a few months after the U-Haul incident, a gang member fired a barrage of bullets at a man who owed Argumedo money. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Two officers who conducted the internal investigation into Martin’s use of force sued the city for violating the Whistleblower Act, alleging they were retaliated against for recommending to Fitzgerald that Martin be fired. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Portions of that law illegally strip authority away from Wyandotte County, the suit alleges. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for allege
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allege
  1. insist
  2. claim
  3. contend
  4. assert
Verb
  • While officials insist the demolitions are a non-negotiable step toward revitalizing the corridor along Old National Highway, the families and owners left in the wake of the bulldozers say true recovery remains a distant promise.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There is a distinction, of course, between insisting on witnesses and staging a spectacle.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • The Houthis claimed responsibility for those attacks and others.
    — SAMY MAGDY, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • One such diagram was shared on X by European Parliament member Tomáš Zdechovský, who claimed that online activity around the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party plummeted following the Russian data center attacks.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of claim
Verb
  • State officials contend the walkout is unlawful because the union failed to exempt employees deemed essential to public safety and is not properly engaging in mediations due to the call for a one-day strike.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Netflix film, which premiered at New York Film Festival earlier this month, is one of 10 Oscar-contending feature documentaries included in Doc Stories’ lineup.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of contend
Verb
  • Moriarty's office said rejection killings are a form of femicide in which women are targeted for asserting autonomy over their bodies.
    — Jason Rantala, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Expect Bass at tonight’s debate to try and assert her dominance early with equal part offense against Raman and defense of her record.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of assert

Browse Nearby Words

allegations
allege
alleged
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Allege.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allege. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All