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

Unlike Littlejohn, Williams has the full force of the Innocence Project, as well his alleged victim’s family, a slew of supporters, and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, who took out a full-page ad in a local paper calling for a stop to the execution. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025

Without a more concerted attempt to define and demonstrate ethical behavior, the romanticization of fintech’s alleged moral superiority is going to backfire. —Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

The alleged act of vandalism is one of many incidents reported against Elon Musk’s electric vehicles since the billionaire teamed up with the Trump administration to cut government services and spending. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025

Zoom in: In the two weeks since Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, numerous reports have cast doubt on the alleged gang ties of some of the Venezuelans sent to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center. —Zachary Basu, Axios, 29 Mar. 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