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
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025
Culture Shift: When Trust Becomes Contagious Upon matriculation, every Hope Forward student signs a covenant, promising to give back to their alma mater every year for the rest of their lives, beginning the year after graduation.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
In short, the Catholic Church affirmed that the Jews are part of a living covenant and that antisemitism — including false charges of deicide — are heresy.
—Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
After violating financial covenants for more than $700 million in revenue bonds, Palomar was forced to sign a forbearance agreement with lenders, committing to hire outside consultants and create a turnaround plan.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
The company disclosed non-compliance with certain financial covenants under its Credit Agreement, which was waived by the lender, and highlighted ongoing efforts to refinance existing debt.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025
Culture Shift: When Trust Becomes Contagious Upon matriculation, every Hope Forward student signs a covenant, promising to give back to their alma mater every year for the rest of their lives, beginning the year after graduation.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
In short, the Catholic Church affirmed that the Jews are part of a living covenant and that antisemitism — including false charges of deicide — are heresy.
—Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
After violating financial covenants for more than $700 million in revenue bonds, Palomar was forced to sign a forbearance agreement with lenders, committing to hire outside consultants and create a turnaround plan.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
-
These claims put China at odds with several neighbors, including the United States' treaty ally, the Philippines, which has been pushing back against Chinese expansion within its exclusive economic zone.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
China joins 81 nations that have signed the treaty.—
Troy Aidan Sambajon,
Christian Science Monitor,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Zhou pointed out that besides expanding the range of hedging products for international institutions, those contracts increase the influence of the yuan in the global commodity pricing system.—
Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
-
After inking new coach Jim Montgomery to a five-year contract when he was hired last November, the Blues rode a strong second half into their first playoff spot in three years.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
During his first term, President Donald Trump pulled out of a Barack Obama-era agreement with Iran formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or simply as the Iran nuclear deal.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
-
President Donald Trump said in response to the latest exchange that the United States had not helped Israel carry out the attacks and urged Iran to come back to the negotiating table to sign a nuclear agreement that would avoid further destruction.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
The sides had bargained on and off for more than a year by then, operating without a contract since November 2022.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
11 June 2025
-
What’s next: Backed by the Service Employees International Union, Oakland Assemblymember Buffy Wicks introduced Assembly Bill 1340 that would allow ridesharing drivers to bargain for better pay and benefits and provide more protections for gig workers.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
The upcoming shows promise to be a nostalgic celebration for longtime fans and a rare chance to hear a beloved track performed live by the band that wrote it.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
23 June 2025
-
To address such issues, insurers also promised to ensure that medical professionals—not administrative staff—review denied requests moving forward.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
The meeting did not happen, though Biden was Vice President when then-President Barack Obama negotiated a pact that effectively sidelined Iran’s nuclear program until Trump withdrew from it in 2018.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
23 June 2025
-
Remember, Russia signed a non-aggression pact with Adolf Hitler in 1939 that started World War II, then invaded Poland from the east 16 days after Hitler invaded from the west.—
Carl Burdette,
Baltimore Sun,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Cornerback Darious Williams, 32, does not have salary guarantees beyond this season, according to Overthecap.com.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
-
Al Hilal’s first attack was straight out of the Lazio playbook: a long ball from the back for Milinkovic-Savic to win, a near guarantee of beating the press and turning opponents on their heels.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
But as the decades rolled on, the conventions of these temples to excess calcified.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
14 June 2025
-
Courtesy of Apple This year at WWDC 2025, Apple introduced a rather drastic change to its naming conventions.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share