Meaning & use
the benefit of the doubt
A favorable judgment given to someone despite a lack of full proof about their intentions or actions.
See it in a sentence
I gave him the benefit of the doubt and assumed he simply forgot to reply.
After years of honesty, she has earned the benefit of the doubt from her colleagues.
A note on using this word
The phrase is usually paired with the verb "give," as in "give someone the benefit of the doubt."
Words with a similar meaning
fair assumption
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
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