Definition of covenantnext
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
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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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

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
Noun
The verse references the rainbow as a symbol for God’s covenant with humanity, and has been used in the past as a Biblical protest against LGBTQ rights. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026 Several players engaged in a form of protest by writing Bible verses on their hats, specifically referencing a verse from Genesis that discusses the rainbow representing God's covenant. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026 The Bible verse refers to when God made the rainbow as a sign of His covenant with Noah and all living creatures in the Jewish and Christian traditions. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2026 In the passage from Genesis, God vowed to never again flood the Earth and declared the rainbow to be a symbol of his covenant with all living creatures. Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
  • Spain disputes this outright, arguing the 1713 treaty ceded only the land and never granted Gibraltar any territorial waters at all.
    Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • First is to prevent their further migration by enforcing an international treaty obliging national authorities to treat ballast waters inside incoming ships that may carry such species.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Mundo Deportivo corroborates these key figures, while noting that Cancelo only has a year left on his contract at Al-Hilal.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Skubal is a free agent after this season and could command a record contract for a starting pitcher.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The agreement between the three US allies comes as Saudi Arabia faces threats on multiple fronts and would compel each country to intervene if another is attacked, much like the pact between NATO nations.
    Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Williams also wanted to understand the agreement between the property owner and residents to help find suitable housing.
    Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Unite Here Local 17, the union that represents the 500 Target Field concessions workers, says Delaware North failed to bargain in good faith by subcontracting Minnesota Funding Initiative volunteers.
    Aki Nace, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The luxury tax was collectively bargained with a tax utilized to constrain owners from overspending the annual threshold.
    Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But Duff and Maroney said more action is needed and promised to introduce additional legislation in 2027 to regulate the technology, the benefits of which towns continue to debate.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As the team advances toward commercial deployment, the technology promises to slash power bills for data centers and factories and cut industrial carbon footprints worldwide.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Following the success of this year’s War Machine, Netflix and Alan Ritchson are making long-term plans under a new first-look feature deal while also revving engines on their first project under the pact.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The prospect of labor strife looms over the rest of this Padres/MLB season, what with the labor pact due to expire in December and both sides already drawing bright red lines in public statements.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Families should be cautious about signing documents, paying unverified individuals or accepting guarantees about release or case outcomes.
    Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There was no guarantee the left-hander would return to form, but Ray has held up his end of the bargain.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Monsterama Con The 13th annual retro horror and sci-fi convention focuses on cinema, art, comics, literature and media with special guests, vendors, screenings and more.
    Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In an Instagram post, Dillahunt shared footage of the pair meandering around the convention together in their masks.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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