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
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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
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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
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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
Daniel May, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
One person points out that the legal covenant clearly supports her position.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Most of the associations are nonprofits governed by covenants and a board of homeowners elected by the other homeowners.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Expenses so outpaced revenue in 2024 that the district was forced to sign a forbearance agreement with lenders after violating revenue bond covenants.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
In the standard post-Talmudic rabbinic interpretation, this was a natural animosity, a jealous resentment born of God’s decision to choose the Jews for his covenant.
—Daniel May, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
One person points out that the legal covenant clearly supports her position.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Most of the associations are nonprofits governed by covenants and a board of homeowners elected by the other homeowners.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Expenses so outpaced revenue in 2024 that the district was forced to sign a forbearance agreement with lenders after violating revenue bond covenants.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
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Hunting regulations and migratory bird treaties have also been key.—
Tom Langen,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
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The treaty aims to prevent mistreatment and gave the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture the legal authority to inspect Russian detention facilities.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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According to documents from the vote, PS agreed to a 20-year contract with the county.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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The new contract is a clear sign that Gasly will remain an integral part of Alpine’s future plans, as well as warding off any possible interest in the Frenchman from teams further up the grid in the coming years when seats open up.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Four years later, the country’s government reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund after changing the Bitcoin Law, making bitcoin acceptance voluntary instead of compulsory.—
Javier Bastardo,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Some European leaders have suggested going as far as to send peacekeeping troops to enforce a post-war deterrence in Ukraine, while Russia wants a broader set of agreements that offer Moscow a greater say in the regional security landscape.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Potential trouble arises when the wily victim of Danny’s, Pauline, starts snooping around the house, hears Danny’s voice and starts to bargain for her silence.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
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Union leaders bargained with the administration for those who were laid off to receive three months of severance, rather than two weeks of pay per year of service; three months of COBRA insurance coverage; and rehiring priority for any positions becoming vacant over the next two years.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There were even marketing wars that sometimes backfired, as in 1994, when Owners Abroad promised a marketing blitz after rebranding to First Choice.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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The projects received millions in state and local tax incentives after promising to create thousands of new jobs.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Murray had a rather rough year in his first season after inking the new pact, appearing in just 11 contests that year while totaling 14 passing touchdowns and seven picks.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
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As part of his campaign platform, McGregor has opposed a European Union migration pact that would more evenly distribute the processing of asylum seekers across the bloc.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But there’s no guarantee, so state restrictions might remain in place.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
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Western officials say the key element of the guarantees will be continuing strong support for Ukraine's armed forces.—
John Irish,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And one of these, for those of us accustomed to British conventions but who follow the game in continental Europe, is the simple passage of time.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Virgo has Steal Away begin as a feminist drama that eventually breaks conventions by morphing into something of a horror film, with even a pinch of the supernatural.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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