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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of covenants
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
Most of the racial covenants were placed in 1925; another dozen or so were added in 1951.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Lenders will demand stricter terms, higher coupons, and tighter covenants.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Once inhabited by some of the city’s wealthiest families, Troost was the target of restrictive covenants in the early 20th century that drew a distinct line of separation.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
Most of the racial covenants were placed in 1925; another dozen or so were added in 1951.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Lenders will demand stricter terms, higher coupons, and tighter covenants.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Once inhabited by some of the city’s wealthiest families, Troost was the target of restrictive covenants in the early 20th century that drew a distinct line of separation.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 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
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This organization’s reports form the scientific understanding for UNFCCC discussions and treaties.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Israeli defense exports rose 13% last year, with major contracts signed for Israeli defense technology including its advanced multi-layered aerial defense systems.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
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The contracts mostly were for time-sensitive disaster response work.—
Karen Brooks Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Phelps was also lauded for expanding NASCAR's international footprint, securing long-term media rights and charter agreements, and building a leadership team that is focused on building the future of stock car racing with fan experience at its core.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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The two countries signed dozens of bilateral agreements, including in a 20-year cooperation deal to repair and overhaul Venezuelan refineries and enhance military relations.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those restraints are lawful because the NFL collectively bargains them with the NFL players association.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Dec. 2025
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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
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Written and directed by Sarnoski, the film promises to offer a much darker take on the Robin Hood stories that explores the end of the character’s life.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Jan. 2026
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This year’s election cycle also promises to be another showdown of moneyed interests via dueling ballot measures, with those either increasing or decreasing taxes at the top of the heap.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Many of the massive overall pacts made that year with top talent have since been succeeded by first-look pacts, which reflect the current economic realities by lowering the studios’ financial commitment while giving creators and producers more flexibility.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 Dec. 2025
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In its final outing, the show’s central characters Damini, Umang, Anjana and Siddhi return with what the streamer describes as the mother of all pacts.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Phillies' qualifying offer guarantees that the team will receive compensation in the scenario that Schwarber signs elsewhere.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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What tabloid dross tends to obscure is his impressive career—first as a star dancer at the New York City Ballet, then as a roving choreographer of complex, dynamic work that is rooted in balletic conventions but not restricted by them.—
Sara Krolewski,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2026
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Presidential nominating conventions, which happen every four years, are where Democratic and Republican party delegates formally select their presidential candidates.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Covenants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenants. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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