allegation
Accusation without proof
An allegation is a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal, typically made without proof.
The word carries an undertone of accusation—allegations are serious, often public, and imply wrongdoing that remains unverified: The senator denied the allegations of corruption.
In legal contexts, allegations are formal claims in a complaint or indictment that must be proven at trial.
Formal charge from jury
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- chargeCost or accusation
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
prosecution · testimony · evidence · affidavit · deposition · perjury · subpoena · litigation
Confident statement of fact
- statementExpressed claim or fact
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- declarationFormal public announcement
charge · complaint · testimony · attestation · submission · representation · pronouncement · insistence
Prolonged public disagreement
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
- outcryLoud public protest
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
defamation · libel · slander · smear · tabloid · exposé · whistleblower · cover-up
Unconfirmed circulating story
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
unsubstantiated · uncorroborated · unverified · unconfirmed · questionable · doubtful · inconclusive · presumption
Lack of firm belief
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
wariness · misgiving · incredulity · speculation · conjecture · uncertainty · reservation · apprehension
Claim someone did wrong
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- implicateSuggest involvement in wrongdoing
- faultImperfection or blame
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
criticize · reproach · rebuke · reprimand · incriminate · finger-pointing · scapegoat · culpability
indictment
Formal charge from jury
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- chargeCost or accusation
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
defendant · prosecution · testimony · evidence · affidavit · deposition · perjury · subpoena · litigation · verdict
assertion
Confident statement of fact
- statementExpressed claim or fact
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
declaration · charge · complaint · testimony · attestation · submission · representation · pronouncement · insistence · avowal
controversy
Prolonged public disagreement
accusation · defamation · libel · slander · smear · tabloid · exposé · whistleblower · cover-up · misconduct
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
conjecture · unsubstantiated · uncorroborated · unverified · unconfirmed · questionable · doubtful · inconclusive · presumption · assumption
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
questioning · wariness · misgiving · incredulity · speculation · conjecture · uncertainty · reservation · apprehension · unease
accuse
Claim someone did wrong
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- implicateSuggest involvement in wrongdoing
- faultImperfection or blame
censure · criticize · reproach · rebuke · reprimand · incriminate · finger-pointing · scapegoat · culpability
- claimsinsurance claim, legal claim, false claim, counterclaim, disputed claim
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
- prosecutionprosecutor, district attorney, DA, prosecution, public prosecutors
- scandalsscandal, controversy, coverup, cover-up, disgrace
- courtroomjudge, jury, oath taking, lawyer, bench
- accusationsaccusation, accuse, accuser, blame, charge
allegationproof
Demonstration of truth
conviction · verdict · confirmation · fact · exoneration
- false allegationsUntrue formal accusations
- abuse allegationsFormal claims of wrongdoing