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 She was brought before a judge and has been released on her own recognizance. Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 Everybody else may be released on attainable bail or on their own recognizance with conditions attached. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 The parents were later released on their own recognizance, per AZ Family. Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026 He was charged with a misdemeanor offense and was released on his own recognizance. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
  • Bohm has been out awaiting trial after his family posted $4 million bail.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The timing of the new charges could prove significant because the Romanian proceedings were one of the principal arguments that the Tates raised during an unusually lengthy bail hearing in Miami last week.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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