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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of covenant
Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Residents faced challenges with discriminatory housing policies such as redlining and restrictive covenants that prevented Black families from living in White neighborhoods.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Mapped homes The properties that have been mapped to date in Washington County appear with detailed descriptions of the racially restrictive covenants, the addresses and the dates they were added.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Lenders will demand stricter terms, higher coupons, and tighter covenants.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
The daycare owners also signed away their right to sue for flood damages, but the state did not place a restrictive covenant on their remaining property.
—Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Residents faced challenges with discriminatory housing policies such as redlining and restrictive covenants that prevented Black families from living in White neighborhoods.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Mapped homes The properties that have been mapped to date in Washington County appear with detailed descriptions of the racially restrictive covenants, the addresses and the dates they were added.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Lenders will demand stricter terms, higher coupons, and tighter covenants.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
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In the 1700s, that began to change as American colonists took the land through brutal warfare, inequitable treaties and exploitative policies.—
Christine Keiner,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
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Carter had to make a hurried Middle East trip – including a speech to the Knesset – before the two nations formally signed a treaty some six months hence.—
Carl Leubsdorf,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Kross and Scarlett made headlines after their departures from WWE in August, following the expiration of their contracts.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The trust operates it under a contract with the Texas General Land Office, and the state plans to spend $400 million on a renovation with a new museum and visitor center set to open in 2027.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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First Brands had a web of complex debt agreements with a slew of lenders and investment funds globally.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
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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
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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
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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
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Since Olympic charter flights to Milan will be departing from the New York area, and because the Islanders had been promised an event in February 2026, the possibility of doing a big press availability was discussed as an alternative.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
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House Republicans had promised to use their majority to investigate Hunter's businesses, which cast a shadow on President Biden's reelection campaign.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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That pact, which went into effect in 2020, is up for renegotiation next year.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, Deadline reported that Grey's Anatomy had reduced the minimum guarantees for series regulars from 18 episodes per season to 14 during its 2024-25 season.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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But the lack of transparency and due process are similar, and there are few to no guarantees of the safety of people whom ICE agents remove, often without identifying themselves, and move around without notifying the family or lawyers of the detained.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The family even goes to Halloween conventions for inspiration and to find the best costumes and props.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Movie scenes where bad guys explain their motivation have been a cliché going back to early James Bond movies and before, but Prinze’s heartfelt delivery breathes new life into the convention.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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