the benefit of the doubt

noun phrase

: the state of accepting something/someone as honest or deserving of trust even though there are doubts

He might be lying, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt and accept what he says for now.

Examples of the benefit of the doubt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

More anecdotally, longtime bearish economist David Rosenberg of Rosenberg Research last week published a sort of mea culpa and a turn toward giving an expensive market the benefit of the doubt. —

Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024 In soccer's fierce rivalries, the benefit of the doubt is earned, not given. —

Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 Basic rule: Nazis should never be given the benefit of the doubt, or any leeway for that matter. —

Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024 The census was taken before the trial began that year, so perhaps the census taker gave her the benefit of the doubt in marking her down as white. —

Bryan Greene, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt

Cite this Entry

Style

“The benefit of the doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20benefit%20of%20the%20doubt. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation