benefit of doubt
Presuming good intentions
The benefit of the doubt is the favorable assumption given when evidence is uncertain.
If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you choose to believe them or trust their intentions despite lacking proof: I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he meant well.
The phrase originates in legal contexts where uncertainty favors the accused.
Freedom from prejudice
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- justiceFair treatment under law
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
- neutralityState of taking sides
open-mindedness · fair play · evenhandedness · judiciousness · reasonableness · balance · dispassion · fair-mindedness
Self-assurance or trust
- faithTrust without proof
- goodwillKindly, generous spirit
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- understandingMental comprehension of something
patience · clemency · forgiveness · compassion · generosity · grace · mercy · second chance
impartiality
Freedom from prejudice
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- justiceFair treatment under law
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
neutrality · open-mindedness · fair play · evenhandedness · judiciousness · reasonableness · balance · dispassion · fair-mindedness · presumption of innocence
confidence
Self-assurance or trust
understanding · patience · clemency · forgiveness · compassion · generosity · grace · mercy · second chance · forbearance
- Trust actsconfiding, entrusting, believing, opening up, vulnerability
- Assumptionsfalse assumption, stereotypes, generalizations, biases, prejudices
- skepticismskeptic, debunker, skeptical, skeptical inquiry, suspension of judgment
- social etiquettemanners, etiquette, courtesy, respect, table manners
- naivetenaivety, naive, innocence, gullible, gullibility
benefit of doubtsuspicion
Sense of unease about motives
distrust · condemnation · mistrust · cynicism · rush to judgment
benefit of doubtcondemnation
Severe disapproval expressed formally
conviction · prejudgment · rush to judgment · snap judgment · summary judgment
benefit of doubtguilty verdict
Court's culpability determination
conviction · indictment · jumping to conclusions · zero tolerance · strict liability
benefit, benefits, benefited, benefiting, beneficial, beneficially, beneficiary, beneficiaries, benefice