benefit of the doubt

American  

noun

1. a favorable opinion or judgment adopted despite uncertainty.

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Etymology

Origin of benefit of the doubt

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

benefit of the doubt

And while I understand not wanting to give fashion gatekeepers the benefit of the doubt, it’s positively stupefying to me that anyone could read that and think, “This is a huge mistake.”

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

Many advisers are giving Warsh the benefit of the doubt, at least for now.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

Unlike Drejka, Kelver did not fire her gun, nor did she initiate the confrontation, yet she was not given the benefit of the doubt by local authorities.

From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026

"We don't want our teachers to interpret what the kids have written and give them the benefit of the doubt because they know them and they know they're trying hard," she said.

From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2026

And being best friends is always about the benefit of the doubt.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan