covenants 1 of 2

plural of covenant
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
3

covenants

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of covenant
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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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

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
Noun
These areas had experienced decades of disinvestment, tied to redlining, racist housing covenants and other discriminatory policies, making them among the city’s more affordable neighborhoods. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 San Jose Spotlight reported in 2024 that Los Gatos had about 130 racially restrictive covenants, which is racist language in property deeds that explicitly prevented homes from being sold to people of color. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 That contrasts with Cherry Hills Village, Bow Mar and Columbine Valley, where strict covenants block the development of attached housing. Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 17 June 2026 Are covenants restrictive or flexible? Richard Polgar, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 Like some other suburbs at the time, restrictive covenants kept minorities out. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026 The eight units are to be identified as affordable in the project’s covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 4 June 2026 The exhibit highlighted racially restrictive covenants, which didn’t allow communities of color to buy, own, use or rent properties often in suburban neighborhoods, including some in Johnson County. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026 Washington County has fewer racial covenants compared to other counties, largely because major residential development took place after the Fair Housing Act was enacted, said Tom Hauer, the division manager of the county’s property records and taxpayer services department. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenants
Noun
  • The force behind many co-productions treaties already in place, the latest signed in April between Canada and Republic of Korea, CMF is also behind the push for more international cooperation between Canadian producers and broadcasters and their international counterparts.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 18 June 2026
  • The defense agreement is expected to reaffirm the mutual defense obligations set out in NATO and European Union treaties, to which both countries are parties.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • References to the president were also stripped from email signatures and communications, as well as papers like brochures, press releases and contracts.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • Gómez is accused of using her position to influence government contracts given to a group of technology companies.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Some cities offered more generous incentives while others had lower labor costs, however, Fort Worth’s history of delivering incentive agreements and city support for the project have made Fort Worth the company’s preferred location, Rogers said.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • Major unions and business interests often sponsor competing measures, only to negotiate 11th-hour agreements to yank their proposals from ever appearing in front of voters.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The union usually bargains in the same year as performers’ union SAG-AFTRA and directors’ union the Directors Guild of America.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2026
  • One potential—though untested—workaround would be for conferences, which are private entities, to serve as a joint employer that bargains with a players’ union.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee promises replacement tickets or a refund if tickets fail to arrive.
    R.J. Rico, Fortune, 20 June 2026
  • The program also promises a job offer for graduates.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Mediators are also discussing nonaggression pacts, non-state armed groups and nuclear issues with Iran, according to Qatar.
    Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • Disney+ has made similar pacts with the UK’s ITV and Germany’s ZDF.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • The state of emergency doesn't limit due process rights or constitutional guarantees and allows people to continue their daily activities, according to the decree.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
  • The state of emergency doesn’t limit due process rights or constitutional guarantees and allows people to continue their daily activities, according to the decree.
    Paola Flores, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • At the previous two conventions, resolutions passed in support of Israel.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026
  • Ralph Lauren celebrated timeless elegance, Prada continued to challenge conventions with intelligence and subtle irony, Setchu impressed with its refined approach to craftsmanship and versatility, while Paul Smith delivered a fresh and optimistic take on tailoring.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covenants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenants. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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