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

Levi’s — under Gass as well as her predecessor Chip Bergh — has built up a certain credibility and is getting the benefit of the doubt. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

All of this is part of Flanagan’s general preference for giving characters the benefit of the doubt and for grounding the eerie and the uncanny in our lived experiences. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Because of his track record of turning things around, Ryans will seemingly receive the benefit of the doubt. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

So analysts are willing to give WB the benefit of the doubt… at least for now. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the benefit of the doubt

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout