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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While Salesforce has become one of our smallest positions, Jim has kept it on the books to give CEO Marc Benioff the benefit of the doubt based on past success. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 The same commitment broken in silence costs you the benefit of the doubt for a long time afterward. — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 When asked about a now-infamous flagrant-2 foul by DiJonai Carrington against Cunningham, White appeared to give Carrington the benefit of the doubt and suggest that the foul wasn't on purpose. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Generally speaking, fans still extend him the benefit of the doubt. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt

Rhymes for the benefit of the doubt

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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 2 Sep. 2026.

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