recognizance

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.

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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 Sandoval pleaded not guilty and was released on a personal recognizance bond pending trial. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025 At his arraignment at Kings County Criminal Court on Monday, Jones was released on his own recognizance, police said. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025 She was released early Tuesday morning on a personal recognizance bond. Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025 He was released from jail on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon for a disposition hearing, court records show. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
  • Magana, who remains in custody without bail, faces up to 25 years to life in state prison if convicted.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
  • Sunil is being held in Santa Rita Jail without bail, according to jail records.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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