Definition of covenantnext
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
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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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

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 covenant
Noun
If a member is found to be out of step with covenants, church leaders can revoke certain privileges and can even move to excommunicate the member. — Saige Miller, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026 In 1948, the Supreme Court found such covenants judicially unenforceable, but Specht explains how communities upheld them nonetheless. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 And pets aren’t the only thing Cedarfield regulates, its covenants also prohibit residents from drying or airing clothing and bedding outdoors except in areas approved by the HOA board. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 During the last legislative session, Matos succesfully pushed part of his grocery affordability agenda, including a bill to end the practice of restrictive covenants, that stop grocery stores from being able to open. — Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Providence Journal, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
  • Its treaties and agreements focus on preserving the peaceful, safe, and sustainable use of outer space, preventing collisions, managing space debris, and ensuring responsible operations.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The treaty affirmed the continued existence of Virginia’s Tribal Nations, acknowledged our relationship with the Crown and recognized our connection to our communities and homelands.
    — Dana Adkins, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The contract bars balance-billing patients beyond insured rates and limits annual adjustments to South Region medical and transportation inflation markers.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Hollywood guild is giving its national executive director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, a contract extension and elevating him to CEO.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • After six weeks of filling in as lead NFL game analyst for CBS Sports, Watt has reached a multi-year agreement to continue alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz in the network’s top broadcast booth.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Lawmakers from the candidates’ respective parties also found much agreement when debating a critical minerals law that centers domestic value addition earlier this year.
    — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Members overwhelmingly voted to authorize the strike earlier this month, accusing the state of failing to bargain in good faith after their contract expired in June.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Something like this wouldn’t happen in the major pro leagues, since eligibility rules are collectively bargained between leagues and unions and are thus exempt from antitrust scrutiny.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Even promising discoveries can face delays when development teams struggle to keep complex projects on track.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Courts promise ‘extremely firm’ response Speaking in Lille, northern France, Darmanin said 149 people had been jailed nationwide as of Tuesday at noon.
    — Tom Nouvian, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In August, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual-defense pact with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan.
    — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Hoichoi pact follows two other high-profile licensing moves.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Obviously, there’s no guarantee a healthy Hurts would win those awards.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Past performance definitely is no guarantee of future results, of course.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Cobos explains that, as with Nené’s ensembles, following period conventions to the letter didn’t necessarily make sense for Carlos’s wardrobe.
    — Elaina Patton, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Everything the Cougars are doing these days seems to spit in the eye of convention.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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