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.
Related 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
She was released from jail after posting a personal recognizance bond of $1,500.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
-
Her initial $250,000 bail was set before Heiling died and before her immigration status came into question.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Hicks is being held in Lake County Jail with bail set at $15,000.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share