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

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Basic rule: Nazis should never be given the benefit of the doubt, or any leeway for that matter. —

Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024 The census was taken before the trial began that year, so perhaps the census taker gave her the benefit of the doubt in marking her down as white. —

Bryan Greene, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Nov. 2024 So until the Hoosiers beat a good team, few outside of Bloomington are likely to give them the benefit of the doubt. —

Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2024 And right now, markets are giving them the benefit of the doubt. —

Kelly Evans, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for 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 2 Dec. 2024.

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