benefit of the doubt

American  

noun

1. a favorable opinion or judgment adopted despite uncertainty.

---

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

The post sought to downplay the gravity of the situation and opined that investors are likely to give Aschenbrenner the benefit of the doubt.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

"It was his first game, so it is what it is. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and didn't say anything to him."

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 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

Did they have it in them to give Bucky the benefit of the doubt?

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon