surety
noun
sure·ty ˈshu̇r(-ə)-tē 
ˈshər-
plural sureties
1
: the state of being sure: such as
a
: sure knowledge : certainty
b
: confidence in manner or behavior : assurance
2
a
: a formal engagement (such as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking : guarantee
b
: a basis of confidence or security
3
: one who has become legally liable for the debt, default, or failure in duty of another
suretyship
ˈshu̇r(-ə)-tē-ˌship
noun ˈshər-
Synonyms
- bond
- contract
- covenant
- deal
- guarantee
- guaranty
- warranty
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
As sureties, they will be liable in his place. gave his surety that he would pay back the loan if his sister was unable to for any reason
Recent Examples on the Web He was arraigned Wednesday in Suffolk Superior Court, where his bail was set at $5 million surety or $500,000 cash, court records show. 
Grace Gilson, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Professional surety companies, which were responsible for over 80% of financial releases in 2019, now make up only 45% of releases, according to data reported by the Sentencing Commission. Kelan Lyons, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2022 The approval its product has received has come amid a dollar crisis in global financial markets, which has prompted Indian exporters to opt for letters of credit (LC) for minimal risk and surety of payment. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 26 July 2022 Claims would be processed by the bond or surety provider, not FMC. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2022 Nance's total bond is now $425,000 cash or corporate surety. Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 12 July 2022 Bienvenu was held on a $100,000 surety or cash bond and was scheduled to appear in Norwich Superior Court on Monday. Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2022 The judge set Schurr's bond at $100,000 cash surety, with conditions. ABC News, 10 June 2022 The era resists surety: During that time in Europe—and these references are almost always made to Europe—the majority of people, including virtually all peasants, were illiterate. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 6 May 2022 See More
Grace Gilson, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Professional surety companies, which were responsible for over 80% of financial releases in 2019, now make up only 45% of releases, according to data reported by the Sentencing Commission. Kelan Lyons, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2022 The approval its product has received has come amid a dollar crisis in global financial markets, which has prompted Indian exporters to opt for letters of credit (LC) for minimal risk and surety of payment. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 26 July 2022 Claims would be processed by the bond or surety provider, not FMC. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2022 Nance's total bond is now $425,000 cash or corporate surety. Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 12 July 2022 Bienvenu was held on a $100,000 surety or cash bond and was scheduled to appear in Norwich Superior Court on Monday. Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2022 The judge set Schurr's bond at $100,000 cash surety, with conditions. ABC News, 10 June 2022 The era resists surety: During that time in Europe—and these references are almost always made to Europe—the majority of people, including virtually all peasants, were illiterate. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 6 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English seurte, from Anglo-French seurté, from Latin securitat-, securitas security, from securus
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing surety
Legal Definition
surety
noun
sure·ty ˈshu̇r-ə-tē
plural sureties
1
: a formal engagement (as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking
2
: one (as an accommodation party) who promises to answer for the debt or default of another
Note: At common law a surety is distinguished from a guarantor by being immediately liable as opposed to becoming liable only upon default of the principal. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, however, a surety includes a guarantor, and the two terms are generally interchangeable.
surety
noun
1
as in guarantee
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation gave his surety that he would pay back the loan if his sister was unable to for any reason Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- guarantee
- contract
- assurance
- deal
- bond
- guaranty
- pledge
- covenant
- warranty
- vow
- treaty
- oath
- insurance
- pact
- deposit
- security
- seal
- bargain
- convention
- bail
- word
- troth
- compact
- accord
- concordat
- pawn
2
as in sponsor
a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing a mutual friend agreed to act as surety if I lent my cousin some money, since I wasn't certain that she'd be able to pay it back Synonyms & Similar Words
- sponsor
- guarantor
- patron
- benefactor
- supporter
- advocate
- underwriter
- teacher
- backer
- mentor
- coach
- champion
- chaperon
- chaperone
- angel
- cosigner
- cosponsor
- cosignatory
3
as in assurance
a state of mind in which one is free from doubt I can't tell you the year in which that event happened with any great surety Synonyms & Similar Words
- assurance
- certainty
- confidence
- conviction
- satisfaction
- certitude
- assuredness
- sureness
- positiveness
- cocksureness
- doubtlessness
- face
- determination
- dogmatism
- resolve
- authoritarianism
- firmness
- resolution
- resoluteness
- decisiveness
- purposefulness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- doubt
- uncertainty
- hesitation
- concern
- hesitancy
- disbelief
- incertitude
- irresolution
- anxiety
- unbelief
- incredulity
- nonconfidence
- suspicion
- distrust
- indecisiveness
- misgiving
- mistrust