as in bail
law
a legal promise made by someone before a court of law that must be kept to avoid being punished
After his arraignment, the suspect was released on his own recognizance.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of recognizance
All three were released on their own recognizance Monday.
—
Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025
All the defendants were released on their own recognizance.
—Caleb Lunetta, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025
The children were all placed in protective custody and the parents were arrested; they were each released on their own recognizance.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
The other seven defendants had their arraignments, when pleas are entered, continued to November or December and were allowed to remain free on their own recognizance.
—Nathaniel Percy, Orange County Register, 16 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025
All the defendants were released on their own recognizance.
—Caleb Lunetta, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025
The children were all placed in protective custody and the parents were arrested; they were each released on their own recognizance.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
The other seven defendants had their arraignments, when pleas are entered, continued to November or December and were allowed to remain free on their own recognizance.
—Nathaniel Percy, Orange County Register, 16 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share