alleged

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.

“Alleged” is pronounced uh-LEHJD (/əˈlɛdʒd/ in IPA).

Here is “alleged” used in a sentence: “The alleged thief was released on bail pending trial.”

“Alleged” is an adjective.

“Alleged” is a fairly common word in modern English.

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."

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.

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.

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.