1
as in treaties
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 contracts
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 agreements
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 bargains
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 promises
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 covenants
Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The onerous covenants include, among others, restricting WBD’s ability to modify, renew or terminate affiliation agreements.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
That means the length of developer control depends almost entirely on each neighborhood’s covenants and governing documents and, in some cases, whether the developer still holds unsold lots.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
Even if one's city doesn't have an ordinance concerning holiday lights, anyone who is part of homeowners association will likely have some guidelines on what is and isn't allowed in their covenants, conditions and restrictions.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 28 Nov. 2025
Deals often include covenants tied to attendance, sponsorship renewals or season-ticket deposits.
—Joseph Glatt, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Borrowers are willing to pay a lot more in interest than the traditional lengthy, expensive syndication process that requires ratings from S&P and Fitch, tough covenants, and sometimes long.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
The wide-ranging pact also includes amendment of a forbearance agreement with Palomar’s lenders, a requirement that lenders created after the public health care district breached financial covenants on more than $700 million in revenue bond debt.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
According to a news release from Harrell’s office, there have been at least two covenants restricting a property’s future use as a grocery store on properties within Seattle.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
The covenants contained language in property deeds that prevented the sale of land or homes to Black people and people of other ethnicities to keep certain areas exclusively White.
—Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The onerous covenants include, among others, restricting WBD’s ability to modify, renew or terminate affiliation agreements.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
That means the length of developer control depends almost entirely on each neighborhood’s covenants and governing documents and, in some cases, whether the developer still holds unsold lots.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
Even if one's city doesn't have an ordinance concerning holiday lights, anyone who is part of homeowners association will likely have some guidelines on what is and isn't allowed in their covenants, conditions and restrictions.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 28 Nov. 2025
Deals often include covenants tied to attendance, sponsorship renewals or season-ticket deposits.
—Joseph Glatt, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Borrowers are willing to pay a lot more in interest than the traditional lengthy, expensive syndication process that requires ratings from S&P and Fitch, tough covenants, and sometimes long.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
The wide-ranging pact also includes amendment of a forbearance agreement with Palomar’s lenders, a requirement that lenders created after the public health care district breached financial covenants on more than $700 million in revenue bond debt.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
According to a news release from Harrell’s office, there have been at least two covenants restricting a property’s future use as a grocery store on properties within Seattle.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenants
Noun
-
Hamilton, wary of France’s descent into chaos and its aggressive wars, contended that treaties are contracts with specific regimes, not eternal bonds irrespective of change.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This organization’s reports form the scientific understanding for UNFCCC discussions and treaties.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Catcher Victor Caratini and reliever Taylor Rogers each passed team physicals on Friday and were officially signed to free-agent contracts by the Twins.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
24 Jan. 2026
-
From your office, clients ask you to verify the authenticity of photos, videos, e-mails, contracts, screenshots, audio recordings, text message threads, social media posts and biometric records.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Look for agreements that explicitly connect energy systems to digital infrastructure—because that is where the real compounding happens.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Ribera has also been outspoken in her views on the current US administration, re-posting a statement by former US President Barack Obama criticizing federal agents’ actions in Minneapolis, for example, and lambasting the US for pulling out of climate agreements.—
Suzanne Lynch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Those restraints are lawful because the NFL collectively bargains them with the NFL players association.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Dec. 2025
-
One of the best Cyber Monday bargains out there is this incredible OLED portable from Asus, which is crammed with high-end silicon for peak performance on all of today's top titles.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Transportation Department can hold airlines accountable for these commitments and maintains a website that lets travelers see what each airline promises if a major disruption is their fault.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The company promises to share information about closures on its website.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some countries are forming new security pacts, as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan recently did.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The implications of his remarks were enormous, potentially rupturing an alliance that has held firm since the dawn of the Cold War and seemed among the globe’s most unshakable pacts.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Jets, Adams signed a two-year contract with the Rams that included about $25 million in guarantees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The meeting, which officials said would be the first trilateral talks since Moscow’s 2022 invasion, comes after a US envoy met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Washington and Kyiv agreed to postwar security guarantees.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Johnson is also part of the Geek Partnership Society, an organization that hosts sci-fi fantasy conventions.—
Matthew Stolle,
Twin Cities,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Here's a roundup of all sorts of events coming up, including winter fests; an array of performances; conventions, from cars to comics; museums and galleries; food and drink festivities; author visits; home and garden happenings; ways to get out into nature; and more.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Covenants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenants. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
