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
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Unlike public market debt, these loans can be tailored to reflect the realities of a business’s growth curve, with covenants and amortization schedules negotiated to meet company needs.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 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
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
Noun
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
Unlike public market debt, these loans can be tailored to reflect the realities of a business’s growth curve, with covenants and amortization schedules negotiated to meet company needs.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenants
Noun
-
The only nuclear defense worth believing in is disarmament — rooted in treaties, inspections and verification.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Despite talk of using nukes to carve a second Panama Canal or excavate Alaskan ports, public concern over radiation and international treaties ultimately shut the program down.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Most contracts include what are called best efforts clauses, which means the ex-coach can’t hole up in Cabo and get his entire paycheck.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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Google and Fox fought over contracts last month, and earlier in October, NBCUniversal encountered a similar impasse with Google.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But those agreements — usually to the tune of around $2-$3 billion in infrastructure and training investments — have paled in comparison to Microsoft’s commitment in the Emirates.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
As such, Bangladesh’s proposition in September 2025 to create a new institutional framework to manage water-sharing agreements with India for 14 transboundary rivers was viewed with suspicion in India.—
Pintu Kumar Mahla,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of the studios, congratulated Mulroney on her election.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Oscar nominee and Lord of the Rings alum Astin will have quite the task ahead of them at the top of next year as SAG-AFTRA returns to the negotiating table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which collectively bargains on behalf of the major Hollywood studios.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ciattarelli promises to lower energy costs immediately by yanking the state out of a regional greenhouse gas initiative, as well as any other environmental policy that voters are sick of.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This new season promises to stay true to its roots of giving preschoolers fresh insights and teaching them to be their smartest, strongest, and kindest selves.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Related Stories Struck with Spain’s Movistar Plus+, the biggest Spanish pay TV/SVOD operator, the deal is a milestone for Mubi – its first Spanish series – and also for Movistar Plus+, marking one of its most significant multi-territory licensing pacts to date.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
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Earlier pacts with Australia, Malaysia and Thailand also outlined multibillion-dollar plans, commitments to fair trade practices and to avoid export bans or quotas.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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The OutDry waterproof membrane guarantees that your feet can still breathe while protecting them from the elements, while the Adapt Trax outsole offers enhanced traction.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But their poetics draw on much older conventions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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The trailer underscores that point by showing scenes from The Golden Girls conventions and snippets of some of the show's most hilarious moments.—
Jeremy Helligar,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenants. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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