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
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
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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
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
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Some experts hoped a potential global plastics treaty, the subject of years-long negotiations, could boost efforts to regulate harmful chemicals, but the latest round of talks collapsed in failure in August.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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There are also treaties and orders that focus on education and spell out the federal government’s responsibility to help coordinate and give money to support tribal education.—
Cynthia Lindquist,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Learn how Louisville's Adidas and University of Kentucky's Nike contracts could block the new revenue stream.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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With seven rounds remaining for the conclusion of the 2025 season, Russell was asked about the status of his contract extension at the Marina Bay Street Circuit with still nothing being confirmed.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The league and its players are currently in a tense collective bargaining agreement negotiation, as the current deal will expire at the end of this month.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Under a pending agreement with ICE, the Guard's role enforcing immigration laws could expand to providing additional military personnel to be trained by ICE and deputized into assisting with policing immigration.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With Newsom’s signature now on AB 1340, drivers can collectively bargain and unionize, including negotiating contracts, which would set industry-wide standards, according to proponents like bill sponsors Assemblymembers Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, and Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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While major pro sports leagues feature a stable arrangement, with unionized players negotiating a CBA and collectively bargained terms exempt from antitrust scrutiny, the opposite is true in college sports.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In more strongly Democratic seats, where most primary challenges are unfolding, progressive candidates have preemptively denounced AIPAC and promised not to seek its support, or have otherwise broken with party leaders on Israel.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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The deal not only promises new comics but, according to Kindt and Gorinson, the two parties have brokered a large-scale acquisition of media rights for more than 20 properties in the Flux House library.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Brazil has also helped meet China’s demand for soybeans, with both countries announcing a pact in July to deepen agricultural trade ties.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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The particulars of the Versant deal remain unleaked, although the league is now on course to book even more annual TV revenue than it was set to realize under the original 2024 pact.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Under Venezuela’s constitution, such a declaration allows the government to suspend some guarantees for up to 90 days, renewable once, though basic rights such as life and protection from torture remain in place.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
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For as good as the Cubs bullpen was Tuesday, the Padres bullpen, with a three-run lead against a whiff-happy lineup, was a guarantee that this series was going the distance.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Shah, co-director Rahul Rohatgi and Chakraborty went to the Dallas convention in 2021, hoping to make connections for their project.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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Usually, at book conventions, there’s only a handful of authors of color or Latina authors.—
Amanda Rosa
October 3,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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