allege

/ə'ledʤ/

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The word "allege" is a verb that means to claim or say something is true, especially in a situation where there might not be enough evidence to prove it. When someone alleges something, they are stating it as a fact, even if it hasn't been proven yet.

Basic Explanation:

• Meaning: To say that something is true, usually without proof.
• Usage: You often use "allege" when talking about accusations or claims, especially in legal contexts.

Example Sentence:

• "He alleged that he was the victim of a crime." (This means he claimed he was harmed, but we don’t yet know if it is true).

Advanced Usage:

• In legal contexts, "allege" is frequently used to describe accusations made in court or in official documents. For example, "The plaintiff alleged that the defendant breached their contract."

Word Variants:

• Allegation (noun): A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically made without proof.
  • Example: "The allegation against him was serious."
• Alleged (adjective): Describing something that is claimed to be true but not yet proven.
  • Example: "The alleged thief was caught on camera."

Different Meanings:

• "Allege" mainly focuses on the act of claiming something without proof, while "allegation" refers to the specific claim itself.

Synonyms:

• Claim
• Assert
• Maintain
• Declare
• State

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "allege," but you might hear phrases like "allege wrongdoing" or "allege involvement."

Summary:

When using "allege," remember that it implies a statement that someone believes to be true but which may not have been proven yet.

Academic

Verb

1. report or maintain
   • He alleged that he was the victim of a crime
   • He said it was too late to intervene in the war
   • The registrar says that I owe the school money

Synonyms

• aver
• say