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
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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.
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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
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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
Dictionary Entries Near the benefit of the doubt
Cite this Entry
“The benefit of the doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20benefit%20of%20the%20doubt. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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