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
Each temple is considered a house of the Lord, where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through sacred ordinances, learning about life’s purpose and making covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve others. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026 As restrictive racial covenants to limit who could own property spread over the East Bay, more than 1,400 Black and Latino residents found a haven on the other side of the Union Pacific railroad tracks west of downtown Hayward. Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Bailey’s order also placed an injunction prohibiting Attard from leasing the house and, because affordability covenants eventually expire, the judge demanded the clock reset to account for the three years Welcome to Realty had owned the house. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 Reasonable covenants requiring native plants, limiting turfgrass and encouraging renewable energy can produce positive changes in neighborhood landscapes. Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for covenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covenant
Noun
  • Polson is the ancestor of John Ridge (Lance Claymore) and Major Ridge (Marco Fuller); members of the Cherokee Nation who in 1835, signed the treaty that led to the Trail of Tears and the expulsion of the Cherokee out of southern Appalachia.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The extradition treaty says the executive branch has the authority to determine if political motivations are involved.
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This is a massive season for a fourth-year player who could be in line for a hefty second contract.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Summary The Philadelphia Phillies dramatically cut Nick Castellanos before the season, despite his significant contract and a key role in their 2022 World Series appearance.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The industry expectation is that there will be a lockout come December and that the sides won’t be able to reach an agreement until the spring at the earliest.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • However, the two parties met to bargain the four-day mandate in late April — more than two months before the mandate started.
    Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Teamsters have been enthusiastically endorsing the bill specifically because, while 40-something employers would be difficult to collectively bargain against, DSP workers would be much easier to organize once within Amazon.
    Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The couple was ready to back out, but the contractor promised to repair the damage at no extra cost, and an inspector said that Pinky’s bones were still good.
    Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Samsung also promises improved video quality at night, calling it brighter and clearer with less noise.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In his first major move six months into the multi-year pact, Wyle has brought in veteran TV executive Jeremy Gold as Head of Development and Production.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Netflix announced a pact with Langue to bring his two YouTube channels — The Kevin Langue Show and Kevin Langue 2 — to the service.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.
    Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Marley Spoon says its products are backed by a freshness and quality guarantee for four days after a subscription box arrives.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Ben Crump’s voice cut through the noise of a crowded convention hall like a thunderclap.
    Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Now, some of the restaurants carrying that distinction are also questioning the conventions that have come to define fine dining.
    Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covenant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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