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
The courts give the executive branch the benefit of the doubt in many cases, including, for example, when prosecutions are accused of being selective or vindictive.
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Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
And this creative team, which also includes veteran Broadway director Alex Timbers, demonstrates enough love for the source material to earn the benefit of the doubt.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Feb. 2026
Karlsson had already hit Giroux from behind and a penalty was coming; thus, Giroux was going to get the benefit of the doubt.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Someone so accomplished should get the benefit of the doubt.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt
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Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
And this creative team, which also includes veteran Broadway director Alex Timbers, demonstrates enough love for the source material to earn the benefit of the doubt.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Feb. 2026
Karlsson had already hit Giroux from behind and a penalty was coming; thus, Giroux was going to get the benefit of the doubt.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Someone so accomplished should get the benefit of the doubt.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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 11 Feb. 2026.
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