allegedly

[ uh-lej-id-lee ]

adverb

1. according to what is or has been alleged. alleged.

allegedly

/ əˈlɛdʒɪdlɪ /

adverb

1. reportedly; supposedly

   payments allegedly made to a former colleague

2. sentence modifier it is alleged that

interjection

1. an exclamation expressing disbelief or scepticism

Usage

In recent years it has become common for speakers to include allegedly in statements that are controversial or possibly even defamatory. The implication is that, by saying allegedly , the speaker is distancing himself or herself from the controversy and even protecting himself or herself from possible prosecution. However, the effect created may be deliberate. The use of allegedly can be a signal that, although the statement may seem outrageous, it is in fact true: He was drunk at work. Allegedly. Conversely, it is also possible to use allegedly as an expression of ironic scepticism: He's a hard worker. Allegedly

Other Words From

• unal·leged·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of allegedly¹

First recorded in 1870–75; alleged + -ly

Example Sentences

In 2011 LGBT media outlet Queerty took the app to task for allegedly deleting accounts that made reference to being trans.

From The Daily Beast

About how much did the group allegedly steal from Mosul banks?

From The Daily Beast

After he allegedly unloaded on the cops, Brinsley attempted to make a getaway to a nearby subway.

From The Daily Beast

The victim, whom The Daily Beast is not naming, asked what Williams wanted and the pastor allegedly “reached in and grabbed him.”

From The Daily Beast

Livvix allegedly arrived in Israel a short time after he jumped bail on drug charges.

From The Daily Beast

I guess youve all heard the story of how their lawn was allegedly sprinkled with some chemical which made the grass run wild.

From Project Gutenberg

I have the coat, shirt, tie, and the bandages and support belt which he allegedly was wearing that day.

From Project Gutenberg

By this time Britain was beginning to apply the other allegedly oppressive measures which preceded the Revolution.

From Project Gutenberg

This enlarges the area on the rifle just below what is allegedly Oswald's left hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the reports that she has received concern light objects seen at night which have allegedly been followed by explosions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• purportedly
• supposedly