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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Examples 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
The powers-that-be at City Hall show no recognizance whatsoever of the also equally valid fact that Waymo is a life-altering good for disabled San Franciscans like me.
—
Steven Aquino, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
According to court records, Pass was given $10,000 personal recognizance and was ordered not to contact the victim.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2024
Barnby was released on his own recognizance on Dec. 23.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
At first, he was released on his own recognizance but was taken into custody in November and placed in a cell with several other inmates at the Rikers Island jail complex, his trial on hold after he was deemed mentally unfit to stand.
—Matthew Haag, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognizance 
Steven Aquino, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
According to court records, Pass was given $10,000 personal recognizance and was ordered not to contact the victim.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2024
Barnby was released on his own recognizance on Dec. 23.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
At first, he was released on his own recognizance but was taken into custody in November and placed in a cell with several other inmates at the Rikers Island jail complex, his trial on hold after he was deemed mentally unfit to stand.
—Matthew Haag, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognizance
Thesaurus Entries Near recognizance
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share