1
as in treaty
a formal agreement between two or more nations or peoples
the two countries signed a peace covenant that, it was hoped, would put an end to decades of bitter conflict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in contract
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation
I had to sign a covenant that I would return the rental car on time
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken
the covenant that existed among neighbors in olden times whereby they would quickly respond to the call to help put out one another's house fires
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to bargain
to come to an arrangement as to a course of action
a traditional rule held that a husband could not enter into a covenant with his wife, because that was the equivalent of covenanting with himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to promise
to make a solemn declaration of intent
the home buyers had to covenant that they would restore and keep the house for at least 10 years in exchange for a low mortgage rate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 covenant
Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Lenders will demand stricter terms, higher coupons, and tighter covenants.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Once inhabited by some of the city’s wealthiest families, Troost was the target of restrictive covenants in the early 20th century that drew a distinct line of separation.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite racial covenants, redlining, urban renewal, and blockbusting, the Brown family managed to purchase their first home in 1950.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
They stress-test financial models, conduct extensive due diligence, and negotiate protective covenants.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Lenders will demand stricter terms, higher coupons, and tighter covenants.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Once inhabited by some of the city’s wealthiest families, Troost was the target of restrictive covenants in the early 20th century that drew a distinct line of separation.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite racial covenants, redlining, urban renewal, and blockbusting, the Brown family managed to purchase their first home in 1950.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
-
In 2024, Parliament was briefly suspended when Māori lawmakers performed a haka opposing the Treaty Principles Bill, which sought to reinterpret the 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Māori.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Broken treaties Monday, October 13 is Indigenous People’s Day.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Nuggets are better with Braun, even with a contract extension looming.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
-
During his end-of-year press conference on Thursday, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated that the team will look to re-sign Kyle Schwarber and that manager Rob Thomson will return with another year ahead on his contract.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
First Brands had a web of complex debt agreements with a slew of lenders and investment funds globally.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
-
These interagency agreements carefully sidestep the statutes by having the Education Department retain oversight and leadership while managing the programs alongside other agencies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Under the bill, AB 1340, by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, and co-authored by Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, hundreds of thousands of drivers will now be able to bargain for better wages and benefits.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Basically, teachers have the right to organize and advocate for their interests, but unions cannot legally bargain with the government.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their uses include promising methods for cleaning up toxic pollution.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Oct. 2025
-
And a growing ecosystem of funds dedicated to the blue economy is emerging, offering investors opportunities to support promising companies while advancing measurable impact.—
Olivier Wenden,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The cap situation was tight heading into the offseason, and things got more restrictive when Trent Frederic and Evan Bouchard signed long-term pacts.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
That pact, which went into effect in 2020, is up for renegotiation next year.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The blazing cornerback provides no guarantees, having not played an NFL down even in the preseason.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
But, as the Arab Spring taught us, there is no guarantee that what comes after will, in fact, be better.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The convention was sold again last year to Informa.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
By flouting all conventions in the face of rock and roll and making a mellifluous spectacle of the music that moved through his body like a thought from God, Jarrett has become a peerless symbol of artistic purity, his talent singular, his every note sui generis.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share