allege
allege Lexical Profile
allege Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof or before the matter has been proven.
"The audit report alleges that the company falsified its financial records over a three-year period."
To advance or cite as a reason, excuse, or justification (archaic or formal).
"The envoy alleged illness as the reason for his sudden departure from the negotiations."
Word Nuance & Usage
In journalistic and legal writing, 'allege' is specifically used to distance the speaker or writer from a claim of wrongdoing that has not yet been proven in court, thereby avoiding defamation.
• Rhymes for allege
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English alleggen, borrowed from Anglo-French aleger, which blended Old French esligier ('to clear at law') and Latin allegare ('to send on a mission, bring forward as evidence').