recognizance

Definition of recognizancenext
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 Busfield denies the allegations and was released from jail on his own recognizance in January pending trial. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Prosecutors said Miakhil, who remains free on his own recognizance, faces a maximum sentence of one year in the Yolo County Jail. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026 After an hours-long detention hearing, Judge David Murphy ordered his release on his own recognizance pending trial, citing his lack of criminal history, compliance with the court order for his arrest and the evidence in the case so far. Jennifer Watts, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026 She was released on $5,000 personal recognizance, the police said. Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
  • Reiner was once again not granted bail in today’s hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes, in what is certain to be a long process even before a trial begins.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
  • He is being held without bail, according to jail records.
    Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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