adjective
Common
alleged
uh-LEHJD
Alleged (adjective) means Claimed or stated to be true, without yet being proven. Example: “The alleged thief was released on bail pending trial.”
adjective
1
Claimed or stated to be true, without yet being proven.
"The alleged thief was released on bail pending trial."
"Details of the alleged affair were leaked to the press."
"The newspaper reported the alleged fraud, although nobody had yet been found guilty."
How to use alleged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSaid to be the case, but not yet confirmed or proven — often used to describe someone accused of a crime before conviction.
Memory tip
News reports use "alleged" carefully to avoid stating an accusation as established fact.
Common pairings
alleged crime
alleged victim
the alleged incident
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The _____ thief was released on bail pending trial.
Related words
Rhymes for alleged
See all rhymes for alleged →Frequently asked questions
What does “alleged” mean?
The word “alleged” means claimed or stated to be true, without yet being proven. In plain terms, said to be the case, but not yet confirmed or proven — often used to describe someone accused of a crime before conviction.
How do you pronounce “alleged”?
“Alleged” is pronounced uh-LEHJD (/əˈlɛdʒd/ in IPA).
How do you use “alleged” in a sentence?
Here is “alleged” used in a sentence: “The alleged thief was released on bail pending trial.”
What part of speech is “alleged”?
“Alleged” is an adjective.
Is “alleged” a common word?
“Alleged” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between alleged and accused?
Accused describes a person who has been formally charged or blamed, as in "the accused man." Alleged describes the act or thing that is claimed to be true but not yet proven, as in "the alleged theft." Careful writers say "the man accused of the alleged robbery," not "the alleged man."
Why do news reports say alleged so often?
Journalists use alleged to make clear that a claim has been stated but not proven, which respects the presumption of innocence and protects the publication from presenting an accusation as fact. Dropping the word could imply guilt before a court has decided. That is why phrases like "the alleged attack" persist until a verdict.
What is the difference between alleged and suspected?
Alleged means someone has claimed or stated something to be true without it being proven yet. Suspected suggests investigators or others believe it based on some evidence, even if no formal claim has been made. An alleged crime has been asserted by someone; a suspected crime is one authorities think may have happened.
How is allegedly used in a sentence differently from alleged?
Alleged is an adjective placed before a noun: "the alleged fraud." Allegedly is the adverb form and attaches the same unproven quality to a verb or a whole statement: "he allegedly took the money." Both signal that the claim has been stated but not proven.
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