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pact

[ ˈpakt]

pact

noun

[ˈpakt]

Definition of pact

: compact entry 4
especially : an international treaty

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Synonyms

Did You Know

Pact has "peace" at its root because a pact often ends a period of unfriendly relations. The word is generally used in the field of international relations, where diplomats may speak of an "arms pact", a "trade pact", or a "fishing-rights pact". But it may also be used for any solemn agreement or promise between two people; after all, whenever two parties shake hands on a deal, they're not about to go to war with each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

//Iran has taken several steps this year to reduce its nuclear obligations under the pact, which curbed Iran's atomic energy program in exchange for widespread sanctions relief.
— Erin Cunningham, Anchorage Daily News, "Iran takes major step away from nuclear deal by activating sensitive uranium-enrichment facility," 5 Nov. 2019
//At the time of the Netflix pact, Benioff and Weiss were working on a treatment for Disney and Lucasfilm.
— Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, "Divided Attention and Toxic Fandom: Why the 'Game of Thrones' Duo Bailed on 'Star Wars'," 30 Oct. 2019
//The pact, which at least 185 countries have now signed, aims to limit the global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) — or even more ideally, to 1.5 C (2.7 F) — and to help countries deal with the impacts of climate change.
— Lacy Schley, Discover Magazine, "The Human Cost of Climate Change," 8 Oct. 2019
//The pacts, which Newsom strongly supports, are aimed at allowing greater flexibility in how to protect endangered species and divert water from the delta.
— Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, "Defying environmentalists, Newsom vetoes bill to block Trump’s Endangered Species Act rollback," 27 Sep. 2019
//Lord and Miller also have a massive, five-year television pact with Sony Pictures TV.
— Wired, "Hobbs & Shaw Ruled the Box Office Last Weekend," 5 Aug. 2019
//Trump has repeatedly called for talks without preconditions, despite having abandoned the 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and world powers that curbed Iran’s atomic energy activities in exchange for major sanctions relief.
— Washington Post, "Iran says U.S. must ‘abandon warmongers’ following Bolton’s dismissal," 13 Sep. 2019
//Netanyahu has been fierce in his lobbying of Trump, urging him to pull out of the controversial 2015 nuclear pact with Iran and consistently pushing the United States for increasing economic sanctions against its regional archenemy.
— BostonGlobe.com, "According to the report, which cited three anonymous former senior US officials ‘‘with knowledge of the matter,’’ the equipment — devices that mimic cell towers, fooling cellphones into giving them their locations and identity information — was discovered some time ago.," 13 Sep. 2019
//To withdraw, the U.K. must extract itself from pacts under the union that affect trade, migration, customs, tariffs, and more.
— Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Queen Approves a Suspension of Parliament amid Brexit Controversy," 29 Aug. 2019

First Known Use of pact

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pact

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin pactum, from neuter of pactus, past participle of pacisci to agree, contract; akin to Old English fōn to seize, Latin pax peace, pangere to fix, fasten, Greek pēgnynai

Dictionary Entries near pact

Phrases Related to pact

nonaggression treaty/pact

suicide pact

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofpact