Definition

Alleged means something that has been stated but not yet proven or confirmed. It refers to an accusation or claim that has not been verified.

Pronunciation

US English

UK English

Part of Speech

Adjective.

Synonyms

Supposed, purported, claimed, rumored, reported.

Antonyms

Confirmed, verified, proven, established.

Word Forms

Part of Speech Words
Noun allegement, allegements
Verb alleges, alleging, allege, alleged
Adjective alleged
Adverb allegedly

Example Sentences

  • Despite the alleged claims made against him, the acclaimed actor vehemently denied any wrongdoing, asserting his innocence and maintaining that the accusations were baseless and fueled by malicious intent, as he continued to fight to clear his name and protect his reputation.

  • The police are investigating the alleged crime scene to gather evidence.

  • The newspaper reported on the alleged corruption scandal involving several politicians.

  • The alleged victim claimed to have been assaulted by the suspect.

Usage

The word “alleged” is often used in legal and journalistic contexts, where claims or accusations need to be made with caution until they have been verified or proven. The term suggests that something is uncertain or unverified, and may be used to express doubt or skepticism about a claim.

The term “alleged” can be used with a variety of nouns, such as crimes, events, or people. For example, an alleged crime refers to a crime that has been reported but not yet confirmed or proven. An alleged event refers to an incident that has been reported but not yet verified.

The word “alleged” is derived from the Old French word “alegier,” which means “to lighten or alleviate.” The prefix “al-” can be added to create related words such as “allegiance,” which refers to a loyalty or commitment to a particular cause or person.

It is important to note that the use of the term “alleged” does not necessarily imply that the claim is false or untrue. Rather, it simply means that the claim has not yet been confirmed or verified. In legal cases, the term is often used to protect the rights of the accused and to ensure that justice is served fairly. In journalistic contexts, it is used to maintain the integrity of reporting by avoiding premature or inaccurate claims.