allege

/əˈlɛdʒ/

/əˈlɛdʒ/

Other forms: alleged; alleging; alleges

If you accuse someone of committing a crime but the proof of the wrongdoing isn't yet found, use the verb allege. You might allege that your sister broke a vase, just because no one else was home when you heard the crash.

If you ever watch news programs, you often hear the verb allege. A reporter might say that detectives allege that a certain person, who is now being held without bail, set a fire. This can be confusing: If the person is in jail, then he or she must have set that fire, right? In reality, the person is a suspect, alleged with starting a fire, and awaiting trial. In the United States, people are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Definitions of allege

1. verb

   report or maintain
   “He alleged that he was the victim of a crime”

   synonyms: aver, say

   types:

   plead

   make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts

   demur

   enter a demurrer

   type of:

   assert, asseverate, maintain

   state categorically