allegation
gb/ˌæləɡˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌæləɡˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
entity
1
Claim of wrongdoing without proof
A statement that says someone did something bad or illegal, but without proof.
Usage pattern:
an allegation of [wrongdoing]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'allegation' with 'allegory', which is unrelated and means a story with a hidden meaning.
Synonyms
accusation (More common in everyday speech; can be used in both formal and informal contexts.)
Antonyms
exoneration (Refers to officially clearing someone of blame, the opposite of making an unproven claim of guilt.)
Collocations
serious allegation
|false allegation
|sexual harassment allegation
|deny an allegation
|make an allegation
Themes
law
|media
|conflict
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company is facing allegations of fraud.
- She strongly denied the allegation made against her.
- The politician resigned after multiple allegations surfaced.
- The newspaper published several allegations about the actor's behavior.
- Investigators are looking into allegations of corruption.
Learner examples
- He denied the allegation.
- The police are checking the allegation.
- She made an allegation against her boss.
- The allegation is about stealing money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
allegation
IPA
GB/ˌæləɡˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌæləɡˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
al - leg - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: allegation
- Plural: allegations
Word family
Forms
allegations
noun
Related words
Expressions
deny an allegation
1/dɪnˈaɪ ən ˌæləɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
To reject a claim of wrongdoing
To say that a claim about doing something bad is not true.
Examples
- The athlete denied the allegations of cheating.
- She denied the allegation during the press conference.
face allegations
1/fˈeɪs ˌæləɡˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
To be accused without proof
To have people say you did something bad or illegal, but without proof.
Examples
- The minister is facing allegations of bribery.
- The company faced allegations after the report was leaked.
make an allegation
1/mˈeɪk ən ˌæləɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
To claim wrongdoing without proof
To say that someone did something bad or illegal, but without giving proof.
Examples
- Several employees made allegations against the manager.
- He made an allegation of corruption during the meeting.