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allege

verb
al·​lege | \ É™-ˈlej How to pronounce allege (audio) \
alleged; alleging

Definition of allege

transitive verb

1 : to assert without proof or before proving a report alleging that the company deliberately overcharged its customers She is alleged to have stolen more than $50,000 over the course of several years.
2 : to bring forward as a reason or excuse
3 archaic : to adduce or bring forward as a source or authority
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about allege

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Did You Know?

These days, someone "alleges" something before presenting the evidence to prove it (or perhaps without evidence at all), but the word actually derives from the Middle English verb alleggen, meaning "to submit (something) in evidence or as justification." Alleggen, in turn, traces back to Anglo-French and probably ultimately to Latin allegare, meaning "to send as a representative" or "to offer as proof in support of a plea." Indeed, allege once referred to the actions of someone who came forward to testify in court; this sense isn't used anymore, but it led to the development of the current "assert without proof" sense.

Examples of allege in a Sentence

He alleged that the mayor has accepted bribes. The mayor is alleged to have accepted bribes. You allege that she stole a large quantity of money. Do you have any proof?
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Recent Examples on the Web

 But part of his family alleges selling the land is part of the plan. — oregonlive, "Public access to Alpenrose ball fields, race tracks on shaky ground as dairy’s sale looms," 6 Sep. 2019 Depp alleges that Heard's discussion of domestic abuse in the Dec. 18, 2018 column tarnished his reputation. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Amber Heard Takes New Shot at Dismissing Johnny Depp's Defamation Suit," 6 Sep. 2019 In addition to trademark infringement, the lawsuit alleges AdventHealth has committed cybersquating by registering and using the domain name WorkAtOviedoER.com for commercial gain. — Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "First came Oviedo ER. Then, AdventHealth Oviedo ER. Now, a lawsuit," 6 Sep. 2019 The lawsuit alleged that the alternative meals offered to Dowl and Jacobsson were dangerously meager and that Muslim inmates were being starved. — James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska will pay $100,000 and change procedures to settle lawsuit over treatment of Muslim inmates," 6 Sep. 2019 The complaint, filed by deputy district attorney Mary Knox, alleges political retaliation and gender discrimination. — Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, "Longtime prosecutor files political retaliation complaint against Contra Costa DA," 6 Sep. 2019 The complaint alleges that Whitehead attempted to interfere in the city's investigation of Jason Alexander, a prominent city activist involved in the successful Yes on Prop. — Lorraine Longhi, azcentral, "Complaint against Scottsdale councilwoman alleges interference in city investigation," 6 Sep. 2019 Brandt alleges Alley performed similar shoddy work in at least six other death penalty cases. — Washington Post, "Texas inmate executed for killing 2 women in 2003," 5 Sep. 2019 The criminal complaint alleges Miller snorted the counterfeit oxycodone pills supplied by Pettit shortly before his death. — Anika Reed, USA TODAY, "Man charged in connection with Mac Miller's death allegedly sold rapper counterfeit drugs," 4 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allege.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of allege

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

History and Etymology for allege

Middle English alleggen to submit in evidence or as justification, adduce, from Anglo-French aleger, allegger, probably in part modification of Medieval Latin allegare, from Latin, to send as a representative, adduce in support of a plea (from ad- + legare to depute), in part from Anglo-French aleger to lighten, free, exculpate, from Late Latin alleviare to relieve — more at legate, alleviate

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More Definitions for allege

allege

verb
How to pronounce allege (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of allege

: to state without definite proof that someone has done something wrong or illegal

See the full definition for allege in the English Language Learners Dictionary

allege

verb
al·​lege | \ É™-ˈlej How to pronounce allege (audio) \
alleged; alleging

Kids Definition of allege

: to state as fact but without proof

allege

transitive verb
al·​lege | \ É™-ˈlej How to pronounce allege (audio) \
alleged; alleging

Legal Definition of allege

1 : to state without proof or before proving
2 : to state (as a fact) in a pleading : aver

History and Etymology for allege

Old French alegier to alleviate, free, confused with Old French alleguer to allege, from Medieval Latin allegare — see allegata

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More from Merriam-Webster on allege

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with allege

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for allege

Spanish Central: Translation of allege

Nglish: Translation of allege for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of allege for Arabic Speakers

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