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.
Related Words
Relevance
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
We’re left to our own recognizance.
—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2026
Cooper was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond after a court appearance Friday morning.
—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Annie O’Connell released him on his own recognizance until his next court date on July 29.
—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 June 2026
He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
—
ABC News,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2026
Cooper was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond after a court appearance Friday morning.
—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Annie O’Connell released him on his own recognizance until his next court date on July 29.
—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 June 2026
He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
—
ABC News,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
-
After the verdict, prosecutors asked Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Nina Morrison to lock up Razia and her co-defendant without bail.
-
He is being held at Schuylkill County Prison on $700,000 bail.
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
