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
Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
After violating financial covenants for more than $700 million in revenue bonds, Palomar was forced to sign a forbearance agreement with lenders, committing to hire outside consultants and create a turnaround plan.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The company also reported compliance with all financial covenants related to its Series 2022 Bonds.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2025
These guardrails were written as a guarantee into the state’s bond covenants to ensure that future politicians would not reverse this commitment to fiscal stability.
—Andrew Fowler, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
In short, the Catholic Church affirmed that the Jews are part of a living covenant and that antisemitism — including false charges of deicide — are heresy.
—Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
After violating financial covenants for more than $700 million in revenue bonds, Palomar was forced to sign a forbearance agreement with lenders, committing to hire outside consultants and create a turnaround plan.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The company also reported compliance with all financial covenants related to its Series 2022 Bonds.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2025
These guardrails were written as a guarantee into the state’s bond covenants to ensure that future politicians would not reverse this commitment to fiscal stability.
—Andrew Fowler, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
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But even now, decades later, the U.S. has fewer missile interceptors deployed (44) than the treaty permitted (100).—
Matthew Bunn,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
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The United States is one of the 184 countries, plus the European Union, that have signed the treaty.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025
Noun
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That team, likely one with cap space, such as the Brooklyn Nets or Detroit Pistons, would also likely add draft capital for taking on those contracts.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Even so, Brown’s massive contract and frustrating offensive season (32 percent on 3s, 53 percent on 2s, worst true shooting percentage since his third year) might mean that there is more downside risk than potential trade suitors are seeing or appreciating at the moment.—
Danny Leroux,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Another item that could go before the commission on June 12 is an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would deputize city police officers with immigration enforcement powers.—
Tess Riski,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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While there was agreement to exchange more prisoners, Moscow and Kyiv remain deeply divided over how to bring the costly and bitter Ukraine war to an end.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Medicine and equipment was stolen amid the fighting, so nurses have learned to bargain for it at nearby pharmacies.—
Sophie Neiman,
Christian Science Monitor,
5 May 2025
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The two unions have joined together to bargain, with negotiations continuing over the past week on issues like holidays, alternative work weeks, time off, health insurance and retirement plans.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Trump has promised mass deportations and has moved to roll back Biden-era immigration policies.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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Former President Joe Biden blocked the sale on national security grounds, and, as a presidential candidate, Trump also promised to block it.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Moscow’s stationing fission or fusion bombs in orbit would violate the Outer Space Treaty - the fundamental international pact that governs space missions across the solar system.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Yet, the average deal for an F1 team generated $6.22 million, more than eight times the average pact for an NFL team, which is $745,000, the SponsorUnited report said.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported the Cubs offered Crow-Armstrong a guarantee in the range of $60-70 million in March before talks were tabled.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Back injuries are tricky, and there are no guarantees.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2025
Noun
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In another time, the Bitcoin 2025 convention at Las Vegas’ Venetian hotel casino last week might have been most memorable for its cringeworthy moments.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2025
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But the 2028 presidential race was not the focus of this year’s California Democratic Party convention.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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