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
Worse for Biden, he is no longer being given the benefit of the doubt.
—
Oliver Darcy, CNN, 10 July 2024
The doctrine gave federal agencies the benefit of the doubt in deciding how ambiguous laws should be interpreted.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 July 2024
To give him the benefit of the doubt, there are Republicans in Annapolis who are clearly to his political right.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2024
After some back and forth, the trio convinced themselves that reporters had heard Biden use the language before—with attribution—and would give him the benefit of the doubt.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt 
Oliver Darcy, CNN, 10 July 2024
The doctrine gave federal agencies the benefit of the doubt in deciding how ambiguous laws should be interpreted.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 July 2024
To give him the benefit of the doubt, there are Republicans in Annapolis who are clearly to his political right.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2024
After some back and forth, the trio convinced themselves that reporters had heard Biden use the language before—with attribution—and would give him the benefit of the doubt.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the benefit of the doubt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 27 Jul. 2024.
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