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
Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This, in my view, is what has happened with covenants.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Most of the associations are nonprofits governed by covenants and a board of homeowners elected by the other homeowners.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Despite racial covenants, redlining, urban renewal, and blockbusting, the Brown family managed to purchase their first home in 1950.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This, in my view, is what has happened with covenants.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Most of the associations are nonprofits governed by covenants and a board of homeowners elected by the other homeowners.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenants
Noun
-
Hunting regulations and migratory bird treaties have also been key.—
Tom Langen,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Yes, the more nuclear treaties the better.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Having previously allowed Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Mary Earps to run their contracts into the final stages — a situation the club say was unsettling for the squad — United were determined not to make the same error.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
SpaceX additionally benefits from billions of dollars in contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense by providing launch services for classified satellites and other payloads.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Along with those moves, the Steelers also worked out new contract agreements with TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This comes after Disney struck similar carriage agreements in the UK, with commercial network ITV, and Germany, with public broadcaster ZDF.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The labor group bargains on behalf of workers in film, television, podcasting, broadcast and online news.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Aug. 2025
-
In this liminal space between reality and the afterlife, Frida bargains with la Catrina, an alluring female embodiment of death popular in Mexican culture.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The ceremony promises one show-stopping moment after another, with Lady Gaga nominated for a whopping 12 trophies.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Director Fujii Michihito, working alongside Okada, has crafted what promises to be a visual spectacle, particularly evident in the large-scale melee sequence at Tenryuji Temple.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Shorter than a typical first-look deal, the mini pacts usually cover the development of a couple of projects and expire when either the set number of scripts have been completed or the deal’s term has come to an end — whatever comes first.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
So despite industry complaints that surfaced during the coronavirus pandemic and the rise of a group of rival upstarts that have struck a series of measurement pacts with advertisers, media agencies and TV companies, Nielsen’s work remains the sector standard.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To finalize the deal, Parsons agreed to a four-year, $188 million contract extension with the Packers that included $136 million in total guarantees.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Following Thursday's gathering in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries expressed readiness to take direct action regarding potential postwar security guarantees for Ukraine.—
Morgan Winsor,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Etienne’s aesthetic has always trafficked in the conventions of dance-pop, but their songs are hopeful and wide-eyed, avoiding any hints of hedonistic decadence.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The 72-year-old often sees the emotional impact of his work firsthand at conventions and Comic Cons, where fans of all ages approach him with requests to hear the voices from their childhood.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenants. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share