Word
allegation
Meanings
a claim that someone has done something wrong, especially one that has not been proved
a statement that something bad or unfair happened, often in an official or public setting, without confirmed evidence
Definition
An allegation is a claim that someone has done something wrong, usually without proof yet.
An allegation is a statement that something bad or illegal happened, or that someone is responsible for it. It is often made in public or formal contexts, such as the media or workplace. Importantly, an allegation has not been proven at the time it is made, so it may or may not be true.
Examples
- The company denied the allegation and invited an independent review of its practices.
- I was shocked by the allegation, but I waited for the investigation to clarify the facts.
- She repeated the allegation in her interview, even though she admitted she had not seen any evidence herself.
- They treated the allegation seriously while reminding everyone that it remained unproven.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "allegation" with "proof" and use it as if the claim has already been confirmed.
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