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 His reflexive tendency to extend Lindsay the benefit of the doubt seemed both credulous and entirely rational. —

Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Respect and trust also translate into giving your partner the benefit of the doubt and assuming positive intentions. —

Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 Do members support teachers, respect their expertise, and give teachers the benefit of the doubt? —

Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2024 So proceed accordingly and give them the benefit of the doubt. —

Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 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.

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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 5 Nov. 2024.

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