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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Yolo County officials used technology to identify 1,172 documents that included restrictive covenants.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Jesse challenges fast-food chains into signing covenants with PUSH to hire and distribute proportionally to their black customers; Noah turns up with a chain of Wendy's, Bojangles, and Church's Fried Chicken in both Chicago and New York.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
The project will create 50 new residential units under an existing affordability covenant.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
Early 20th-century deed covenants explicitly barred Black, Chinese, or Japanese residents from buying or renting homes in the neighborhood.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Yolo County officials used technology to identify 1,172 documents that included restrictive covenants.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Jesse challenges fast-food chains into signing covenants with PUSH to hire and distribute proportionally to their black customers; Noah turns up with a chain of Wendy's, Bojangles, and Church's Fried Chicken in both Chicago and New York.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
The project will create 50 new residential units under an existing affordability covenant.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
-
And historians can talk about the Versailles treaty causing resentment in Germany, which led to the rise of Nazism in World War II, and that’s fine; that’s not excusing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The treaty, which still forms the basis of NATO today, consists of 14 Articles.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The union and workers agreed to return to work after the company agreed to return for two days of face-to-face contract negotiations beginning April 9.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Now that Sacramento County’s fiscal adviser has canceled the Sacramento City Unified School District board’s contract with a consulting firm, the district faces its budget crisis with fewer options and a ticking clock.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Start by reading the contract – that's the agreement between you and the car rental company.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One lawsuit, filed against Guadalupe Centers by former human resources director Shirley Folch, was eventually dismissed by agreement from the two sides last year, while another, filed against Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools by former Superintendent James Hammen, remains pending.—
Nathan Pilling
March 31,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It’s believed that the list of teams that get competitive balance picks is collectively bargained.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The military buildup gives the president optionality, not just to strike, but to bargain from strength, Cohen noted.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The grandiose space’s massive stage and high-caliber lighting rigs promise extravagant parties and ceremonies that will light up the city’s social calendar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In 1995, the owner of the Raiders, Al Davis, was offered about two hundred million dollars in public loans to move the team from Los Angeles back to its previous home in Oakland; when the team moved to Las Vegas, three decades later, it was promised nearly triple that amount.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The union is not releasing details of the pact until after union members participate in a ratification vote, which will take place within the next few days.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Brown told reporters the agreement with New Zealand didn’t affect his country’s other pacts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Cuban-American entrepreneurs cited the lack of legal guarantees for investing in Cuba under current laws as one key concern holding up any desire to contribute to economic progress on the island.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In the late 19th century, the Supreme Court clarified that the guarantee extends to the children of immigrants.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, Hall put on late-night shows in the basement of his home and became a popular child magician, earning money by doing his routine at ritzy parties and travelling to magic conventions.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While the community can interact on the Internet, the convention offers an in-person space.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
