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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Alison Herman, Variety, 17 June 2026
The portion of the Genesis verse cited by Roupp on his hat included God's promise to never again send a worldwide flood and the rainbow in the sky is the sign of that covenant.
—CBS News, 17 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
Everyone who came after Warren has been bound to the same covenant, even though the vast majority of Widow’s Bay residents are unaware.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Noun
The covenant — including troublesome terms like those born on the island being unable to leave on pain of death — only ends when Warren’s bloodline does, too.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 June 2026
The portion of the Genesis verse cited by Roupp on his hat included God's promise to never again send a worldwide flood and the rainbow in the sky is the sign of that covenant.
—CBS News, 17 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
Everyone who came after Warren has been bound to the same covenant, even though the vast majority of Widow’s Bay residents are unaware.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
-
The treaty involves regular onsite inspections by the IAEA to confirm that countries are complying with the treaty’s terms.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
But the treaty was plagued with problems even in its formation.—
Pamela Avila,
CNN Money,
18 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
-
Peinado said that a businessman who allegedly benefited from the government contracts and the consultant that worked for Gómez will also stand trial.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Trump reiterated that military action remains on the table if Iran does not comply with their agreement.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
-
The Obama-era Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which requires presidents to submit agreements related to Iran’s nuclear program to Congress for approval, temporarily bars the president from waiving sanctions while lawmakers review.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
The measure could potentially pose a problem with collective bargaining because the governor’s administration is ostensibly bargaining on behalf of all agencies, said Tim Yeung, a public sector labor expert.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
-
Lind’s ideal ignores what workers have actually bargained for in the United States, and what pro-worker social democracies already provide.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
Alicent additionally promised Rhaenyra that a march to the Red Keep would be uneventful, because Aemond and Vhagar were bound for the front at Harrenhal.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
Earlier this month, a Manhattan bar ran a promotion promising to comp customers’ drinks if the Knicks won the first game of the NBA Finals, per the New York Times.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The pact also stipulates that the key Strait of Hormuz trading route will be reopened after months of disruption for the global economy, but particularly oil and gas markets.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
The legal obstacles also come as critics warn the pact gives Iran major economic benefits while leaving some of the most difficult nuclear and security questions for future negotiations.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Firms that deflect or offer guarantees that sound too clean are often the wrong fit, particularly for high-net-worth clients who cannot afford a second remediation campaign to clean up the first.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
In practice, analysts say, that means renewable energy projects in African countries with weak sovereign ratings inherit the perception of sovereign risk even when projects themselves are commercially sound and backed by international guarantees.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Hartfield faced each new challenge with dedication and humor, from using a bathroom as an audio booth while traveling with Political Reporter Shaun Boyd to a Democratic convention, or conducting an undercover investigative series on massage parlors.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Wilson was devastated by losing debates about the design of Congress and the presidency, and in particular by the convention’s refusal to acknowledge the centrality of regular people to the government.—
Jesse Wegman,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
