verb

state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof.

the Prime Minister claimed that he was concerned about Third World debt

assert,declare,profess,maintain,state,hold,affirm,avow,aver,protest,insist,swear,attest,argue,contend,submit,move,allege,make out,avouch,asseverate,represent

noun

an assertion that something is true.

he was dogged by the claim that he had CIA links

assertion,declaration,profession,affirmation,avowal,averment,protestation,representation,contention,submission,case,allegation,pretence,asseveration