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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Recent Examples of recognizance
Alex Murdaugh was ordered held on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond.
—
Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 14 May 2026
She was released on her own recognizance and is awaiting trial.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The race car driver was arraigned later Wednesday morning and ultimately released on his own recognizance.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Hutchins, 23, pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, the DA’s office said.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 14 May 2026
She was released on her own recognizance and is awaiting trial.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The race car driver was arraigned later Wednesday morning and ultimately released on his own recognizance.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Hutchins, 23, pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, the DA’s office said.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
-
He was held on $2 million bail for more than a month.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Perry is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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