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
O’Connell was released on his own recognizance because the charges stemming from the road rage incident are not eligible for bail, according to the office.
—
Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
In a motion filed Monday, a public defender requested that Jones be placed on personal recognizance while awaiting a future court date if required, noting that a grand jury had declined to indict her.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 2 Sep. 2025
Although a judge did find probable cause for their arrests on Monday, they were released on their own recognizance with no charges pending.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 2 Sep. 2025
All three suspects, who pleaded not guilty and have since been released on their own recognizance (RoR), live at the Toledo address, per the outlet.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
In a motion filed Monday, a public defender requested that Jones be placed on personal recognizance while awaiting a future court date if required, noting that a grand jury had declined to indict her.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 2 Sep. 2025
Although a judge did find probable cause for their arrests on Monday, they were released on their own recognizance with no charges pending.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 2 Sep. 2025
All three suspects, who pleaded not guilty and have since been released on their own recognizance (RoR), live at the Toledo address, per the outlet.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
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The suspect was out on bail for a previous felony theft case when the Pick 'n Save theft in South Milwaukee occurred.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Subramanian has cited Combs’ history of violence and the defense team’s admissions about it for the refusal of bail.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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