Allege — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈlej/ al·lege

Meaning & Definition of Allege

Allege (verb)

  1. to assert without proof or before proving
  2. to bring forward as a reason or excuse
  3. to adduce or bring forward as a source or authority

Allege (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to state as a fact usually forcefully

    "alleged that the restaurant chain was engaging in discriminatory hiring practices"

    similar: affirm, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant, put forth
    related: announce, broadcast, proclaim, argue, rationalize, reason, confirm, justify, vindicate, defend, persevere, support, uphold, reaffirm, reassert
    opposite: deny, gainsay
    near: abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Allege

The most common words with a similar meaning to Allege:

affirm, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant, put forth

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Allege

Words with the opposite meaning of Allege:

deny, gainsay

Related Words for Allege

announce, broadcast, proclaim, argue, rationalize, reason, confirm, justify, vindicate, defend, persevere, support, uphold, reaffirm, reassert

Near Antonyms of Allege

abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter

Word Forms of Allege

Inflections: alleged, alleging

Origin & Etymology of 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 legate, alleviate

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Allege

Frequently Asked Questions about Allege

What does "Allege" mean?

"Allege" means to assert without proof or before proving. As a verb, it is defined as: to assert without proof or before proving.

What is another word for "Allege"?

Other words for "Allege" include affirm, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend and declare. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Allege" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Allege"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Allege". Common alternatives include affirm, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist and maintain.

What is the opposite of "Allege"?

Antonyms of "Allege" include deny and gainsay. Near antonyms include abandon, disavow, disclaim and disown.

How do you use "Allege" in a sentence?

Examples of "Allege" in a sentence: "alleged that the restaurant chain was engaging in discriminatory hiring practices".

Is "Allege" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Allege" is a verb.

Is "Allege" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Allege" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Allege"?

"Allege" is pronounced /ə-ˈlej/ and divided into syllables as al·lege.