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
The arrest returned Rodriguez to Miami-Dade Corrections custody 13 days after she was released on her own recognizance following an October arrest for cocaine possession.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
He was later released on recognizance bonds in both cases, FOX32 reported.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 Nov. 2025
Snider was then released the next morning on his own recognizance.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
They were arraigned in Brockton District Court and released on personal recognizance.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
He was later released on recognizance bonds in both cases, FOX32 reported.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 Nov. 2025
Snider was then released the next morning on his own recognizance.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
They were arraigned in Brockton District Court and released on personal recognizance.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
-
The citation came in the mail soon after with a bail amount of $486, Kahrs noted.—
Julie Watts,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Kaupa had a first appearance on the charges Monday and remained jailed on $5 million bail.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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