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
Giving people the benefit of the doubt and showing them grace can go a long way.
—
Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The remarkable earnings and growth behind that breakaway stock performance also earned Lululemon the benefit of the doubt when things went wrong, like the aborted venture into home fitness technology with the Mirror acquisition.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Brown’s support underscores how frustration with the school’s trajectory has spread beyond its usual critics and taken root among alumni who once gave the overhaul the benefit of the doubt.
—Alice Herman, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Closer Bryan Abreu stumbled but has earned the benefit of the doubt with the dominance he’s displayed.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt
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Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The remarkable earnings and growth behind that breakaway stock performance also earned Lululemon the benefit of the doubt when things went wrong, like the aborted venture into home fitness technology with the Mirror acquisition.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Brown’s support underscores how frustration with the school’s trajectory has spread beyond its usual critics and taken root among alumni who once gave the overhaul the benefit of the doubt.
—Alice Herman, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Closer Bryan Abreu stumbled but has earned the benefit of the doubt with the dominance he’s displayed.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
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 16 Sep. 2025.
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