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
Each temple is considered a house of the Lord, where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through sacred ordinances, learning about life’s purpose and making covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve others. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026 As restrictive racial covenants to limit who could own property spread over the East Bay, more than 1,400 Black and Latino residents found a haven on the other side of the Union Pacific railroad tracks west of downtown Hayward. Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Bailey’s order also placed an injunction prohibiting Attard from leasing the house and, because affordability covenants eventually expire, the judge demanded the clock reset to account for the three years Welcome to Realty had owned the house. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 Reasonable covenants requiring native plants, limiting turfgrass and encouraging renewable energy can produce positive changes in neighborhood landscapes. Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
  • Polson is the ancestor of John Ridge (Lance Claymore) and Major Ridge (Marco Fuller); members of the Cherokee Nation who in 1835, signed the treaty that led to the Trail of Tears and the expulsion of the Cherokee out of southern Appalachia.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The extradition treaty says the executive branch has the authority to determine if political motivations are involved.
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This is a massive season for a fourth-year player who could be in line for a hefty second contract.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Summary The Philadelphia Phillies dramatically cut Nick Castellanos before the season, despite his significant contract and a key role in their 2022 World Series appearance.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • According to the investigation, the Clippers broke league rules by initiating off-court income opportunities and facilitating endorsement agreements between Leonard and four companies that also did business with the team.
    Josh Feldman, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Hours after City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in Cardiff, news broke of an agreement with Barcelona for Rodri.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There is money tied to this format through playoff broadcasts, and any change would have to be collectively bargained between the league and MLBPA.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • However, the two parties met to bargain the four-day mandate in late April — more than two months before the mandate started.
    Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That progression is important because solid-state batteries have faced a difficult transition from promising laboratory cells to reliable, high-volume manufacturing.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Cuffed Jeans Every new season brings a denim trend du jour, and this fall’s lineup is already promising.
    Jordan Julian, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague on Monday ruled in Pakistan's favor over the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, saying the historic pact remains fully binding and that India had no valid grounds for ending or suspending it.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The negotiators of the original pact did not need to contemplate how the three countries would implement complementary subsidies, investment restrictions, or export controls, as such policies were not then in vogue.
    Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.
    Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Marley Spoon says its products are backed by a freshness and quality guarantee for four days after a subscription box arrives.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Ben Crump’s voice cut through the noise of a crowded convention hall like a thunderclap.
    Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Now, some of the restaurants carrying that distinction are also questioning the conventions that have come to define fine dining.
    Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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