alleged

American  

[uh-lejd, uh-lej-id] / əˈlɛdʒd, əˈlɛdʒ ɪd /

adjective

1. declared or stated to be as described; asserted.

   The alleged murderer could not be located for questioning.

2. doubtful; suspect; supposed.

   The alleged cure-all produced no results when it was tested by reputable doctors.

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alleged British  

/ əˈlɛdʒd /

adjective

1. stated or described to be such; presumed

   the alleged murderer

2. dubious

   an alleged miracle

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Usage

What does alleged mean? Alleged is an adjective that’s used to describe things that have been claimed. It’s most often used to describe an action or situation, especially a wrongdoing or crime, that someone claims happened but that has not been confirmed or proven. Alleged can also be used as the past tense of the verb allege, meaning to claim without proof or before proof is available. Such an accusation is called an allegation. The adverb form of alleged is allegedly. As an adjective, alleged can be correctly pronounced either uh-LEJD or uh-LEJ-id. When it’s used as a verb, it’s always pronounced uh-LEJD. Alleged is most commonly used in a legal context and in journalism in reports about crime or other wrongdoing before it has been proven or before someone has been convicted. Using the word alleged allows journalists to talk about allegations without seeming to presume guilt (and getting sued for libel). Sometimes, alleged is used to mean doubtful or supposed in a way that’s intended to indicate skepticism about something, as in The alleged genius can’t even run a small company.   Example: The alleged crime took place when my client was half a state away.

Other Word Forms

• unalleged
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of alleged

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; allege + -ed ²

Explanation

A claim or statement that is alleged hasn't been proven true — if you're an alleged murderer, you've been accused but not convicted. When a fact is alleged, there is doubt about its accuracy. The word alleged is often used in connection with court cases, because the accused is innocent until proven guilty: an alleged robber is a suspected robber but has not been proven guilty of robbery. Journalists often use alleged in news stories when someone’s guilt is suspected but not confirmed. Sometimes alleged means doubtful or dubious, as in "Who is this alleged expert?"

Example Sentences

The Brown indictment says that Su, the Stratos owner, had also worked with Duggan, whose charges concern alleged events before Su’s 2014 arrest.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

The captain questioned Brown’s handling of the takeoff and Brown responded in a way the captain alleged was threatening, according to National Transportation Safety Board documents.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Portuguese authorities have refused France’s request to extradite him, saying the alleged crimes were committed on Portuguese territory.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

The citation, outlined in court records, alleged the company in April 2018 “failed to ensure that all machinery and equipment in service were inspected or maintained as recommended by the manufacturer.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Against the law, Hoover began passing classified files to his contacts on HUAC, with documents describing Bentley's alleged spy ring.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• purported
• so-called
• stated
• supposed