1
as in treaty
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 contract
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 agreement
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 to bargain
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 to promise
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 covenant
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 15 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
The daycare owners also signed away their right to sue for flood damages, but the state did not place a restrictive covenant on their remaining property.
—Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 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
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
The Accords will become a critical part of securing regional peace as the subsequent steps of the 20-point plan are executed, and likely cement the president’s place in history if all major countries in the region sign the covenant.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 15 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
The daycare owners also signed away their right to sue for flood damages, but the state did not place a restrictive covenant on their remaining property.
—Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 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
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
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The only nuclear defense worth believing in is disarmament — rooted in treaties, inspections and verification.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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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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Kross and Scarlett made headlines after their departures from WWE in August, following the expiration of their contracts.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The trust operates it under a contract with the Texas General Land Office, and the state plans to spend $400 million on a renovation with a new museum and visitor center set to open in 2027.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Just before the election, the US signed a $20 billion currency swap line agreement with Argentina to shore up the beleaguered peso, which is down more than 30% so far this year.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
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Both parties have accused the other of violations of the agreement.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Antitrust law applies, because the rules are not collectively bargained with a union, and the NCAA—including its member institutions—enjoys monopoly control over the labor market.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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What were the musicians bargaining for?—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Potential adversaries interpret political action in zero-sum terms; see malice and evil design in mere blunders and coincidence; trumpet necessity rather than navigate choice; and, in extreme cases, invent pretext or promise profit to make more palatable a dubious cause.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Struggling with a lack of career opportunities, Gen Z is second-guessing the worth of pricey college degrees, which once promised them six-figure jobs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The new trade pacts with Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are set to unlock new investment and market opportunities, with practical impacts on sectors ranging from agriculture and energy to semiconductors and automobiles.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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Trump is aiming to clinch the pact with China’s Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, Deadline reported that Grey's Anatomy had reduced the minimum guarantees for series regulars from 18 episodes per season to 14 during its 2024-25 season.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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But the lack of transparency and due process are similar, and there are few to no guarantees of the safety of people whom ICE agents remove, often without identifying themselves, and move around without notifying the family or lawyers of the detained.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The family even goes to Halloween conventions for inspiration and to find the best costumes and props.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Movie scenes where bad guys explain their motivation have been a cliché going back to early James Bond movies and before, but Prinze’s heartfelt delivery breathes new life into the convention.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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