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
Getz, however, never will get the benefit of the doubt in Chicago until the Sox start winning.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Although Conforto still has to earn a spot on the team, his resume should give him the benefit of the doubt, even after experiencing such a bad season that the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t roster him during last year’s World Series run.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Giving you the benefit of the doubt and the conversation jumping off from there, George is very good at that.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
But can such groups regain the benefit of the doubt and recapture their former premium valuations quickly?
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt
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.
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Although Conforto still has to earn a spot on the team, his resume should give him the benefit of the doubt, even after experiencing such a bad season that the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t roster him during last year’s World Series run.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Giving you the benefit of the doubt and the conversation jumping off from there, George is very good at that.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
But can such groups regain the benefit of the doubt and recapture their former premium valuations quickly?
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
