alleged

[uh-lejd, uh-lej-id]

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.

alleged

/ əˈlɛdʒd /

adjective

1. stated or described to be such; presumed

   the alleged murderer

2. dubious

   an alleged miracle

Other Word Forms

• unalleged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleged¹

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

Example Sentences

While footage shows Morales marching back toward the agent with his fists balled, no angle clearly captures the alleged assault.

From Los Angeles Times

In the frantic hours after political activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a sniper at a Utah university, those closest to the alleged shooter began making wrenching discoveries, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

But it was especially disturbing given the FBI director’s alleged friendship with Kirk and the level of seriousness with which Patel claimed the bureau led the manhunt for Kirk’s assassin.

From Salon

The charge of blackmail relates to alleged unwarranted demands for the phone numbers of up to 12 individuals.

From BBC

Here's the full record of a series of text messages exchanged with the alleged gunman on the day of the shooting, which the roommate provided to investigators.

From BBC

Related Words

• purported 
• so-called 
• stated 
• supposed 

When To Use

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.