WordValeallegation
a claim not yet proven
In more detail
a claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong, typically made without proof or before it has been proven in court
Examples
- The athlete denied the allegations of cheating.
How to use allegation
An allegation is a claim of wrongdoing made without definitive proof, often used in legal, journalistic, and formal contexts. It carries an implicit neutrality—the speaker is reporting a claim rather than confirming its truth. Unlike accusation, which can be more personal or direct, allegation maintains formal distance and is the preferred term in legal and news reporting.
Common phrases
- make an allegation
- face allegations
- deny allegations
- serious allegation
- unsubstantiated allegation
- allegation of misconduct
Synonyms
claim · assertion · accusation · charge · assertion
Word family
allege (verb) · allegedly (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes treat allegation as proven fact rather than as an unproven claim; remember that allegations remain allegations until substantiated or proven in court.
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