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

This doesn’t cost the bull market the benefit of the doubt, but the wall of worry has worn down a good deal. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Generally speaking, fans still extend him the benefit of the doubt. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026

When no one defines what the seat requires, evaluators fall back on the familiar resume and the face that looks the part, and that is where the benefit of the doubt often flows to men. — Julia Rafal-Baer, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Some attendees insisted that the president should get the benefit of the doubt — even as concerns about kitchen table issues tick up. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

Rhymes for the benefit of the doubt

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout