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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Given its track record, Alphabet has earned the benefit of the doubt, at least for now. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 2 June 2026 The Red Sox have lost the benefit of the doubt, and there’s plenty of that hanging around Fenway. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 13 June 2026 Thinking ahead Maybe one of the finest defensive third basemen of this (or any) generation should get the benefit of the doubt. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026 But fans, players and commentators have long believed that star quarterbacks get the benefit of the doubt from officials. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt

Rhymes for the benefit of the doubt

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Browse Nearby Words

the bench
the benefit of the doubt
the bereaved
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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 7 Jul. 2026.

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