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.

With such low levels of trust, the benefit of the doubt for the other side is in short supply. —

Chris Jackson, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 All that said, this Denver team is probably going to have to win a game before getting the benefit of the doubt. —

Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2024 His reflexive tendency to extend Lindsay the benefit of the doubt seemed both credulous and entirely rational. —

Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Respect and trust also translate into giving your partner the benefit of the doubt and assuming positive intentions. —

Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt

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“The benefit of the doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20benefit%20of%20the%20doubt. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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