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
Indeed, there may be a slight league-wide bias towards giving superstar quarterbacks the benefit of the doubt.
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Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2025
This is because there’s a narrative that officials favor the Chiefs and give them the benefit of the doubt regarding penalties, spots on the field, etc.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2025
There’s a narrative that game officials favor the Chiefs and give them the benefit of the doubt regarding penalties, spots on the field, etc.
—Antwan Staley, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Superstars are supposed to get the benefit of the doubt.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt 
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Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2025
This is because there’s a narrative that officials favor the Chiefs and give them the benefit of the doubt regarding penalties, spots on the field, etc.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2025
There’s a narrative that game officials favor the Chiefs and give them the benefit of the doubt regarding penalties, spots on the field, etc.
—Antwan Staley, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Superstars are supposed to get the benefit of the doubt.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the benefit of the doubt
Dictionary Entries Near the benefit of the doubt
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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