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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.
Examples of pact in a Sentence
We supported a peace pact between the two countries. They made a pact to go to the gym together three times a week.
Recent Examples on the Web
The swoon-worthy trailer shows Garrett and Hannah forming the titular deal, a fake dating pact to help the hockey player’s grades and the singer’s chances at getting her crush. —
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 While the man who was then governor of the powerful Sao Paulo state advocated for a pact with European nations, Lula did not. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Under the pact, Short Stack will develop ongoing and limited series for A24 that Reed will executive produce. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 In doing so, Aron undercut O’Leary, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed in Vegas or among the other members of Cinema United, which convened an emergency meeting after AMC gave its blessing to the pact. —Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pact
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.
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 While the man who was then governor of the powerful Sao Paulo state advocated for a pact with European nations, Lula did not. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Under the pact, Short Stack will develop ongoing and limited series for A24 that Reed will executive produce. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 In doing so, Aron undercut O’Leary, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed in Vegas or among the other members of Cinema United, which convened an emergency meeting after AMC gave its blessing to the pact. —Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pact
Cite this Entry
“Pact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/pact. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pact
noun
: agreement sense 2
especially : a treaty between countries
Etymology
Middle English pact "agreement," from early French pact (same meaning), from Latin pactum (same meaning), derived from pacisci "to agree, contract"
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