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
Finch has been giving them time to coalesce and allow five players who have all had success in the league the benefit of the doubt.
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Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Step back, take a breath, assume good intentions and give them the benefit of the doubt.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The passing of its big boss marks a time when local corporations were proud to be local and run by real people who might actually give you the benefit of the doubt.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2025
As Washington considers how to respond to the change in government, there are reasons to give Syria’s new leaders the benefit of the doubt.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
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Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Step back, take a breath, assume good intentions and give them the benefit of the doubt.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The passing of its big boss marks a time when local corporations were proud to be local and run by real people who might actually give you the benefit of the doubt.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2025
As Washington considers how to respond to the change in government, there are reasons to give Syria’s new leaders the benefit of the doubt.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt
Dictionary Entries Near 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 22 Jan. 2025.
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