Definition

Noun: 1. A formal agreement between individuals or parties: A pact is a binding agreement, often written, made between two or more people, groups, or nations to follow a particular course of action or to achieve a common goal. 2. A treaty or covenant between states: In international relations, a pact specifically refers to a formal written agreement or treaty between sovereign states or political entities.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The two companies signed a pact to share research and development costs.
  • The peace pact ended the decade-long conflict between the nations.
  • They made a pact to always tell each other the truth.

Advanced Usage

• "to sign/seal a pact": To formally agree to and execute a pact, often with a signature or ceremony.
  • The leaders gathered to sign the historic pact.
• "to break/violate a pact": To fail to uphold the terms of an agreement.
  • Accusations flew after one side broke the pact.
• "a pact of silence/secrecy": An agreement among a group not to reveal certain information.
  • The witnesses had a pact of silence about what they saw.

Variants and Related Words

• Paction (noun, archaic): The act of making a pact; an agreement.
• Pactional (adjective, rare): Of or relating to an agreement.

Synonyms

• Agreement: A general term for a mutual arrangement.
• Treaty: A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries.
• Compact: A formal agreement or contract.
• Covenant: A formal and solemn binding agreement.
• Accord: An official agreement or treaty.

Related Phrases

• Non-aggression pact: A treaty where parties agree not to attack each other.
  • The two countries maintained an uneasy peace under a non-aggression pact.
• Suicide pact: An agreement between two or more people to die by suicide together.
  • The police investigated the deaths as part of a suspected suicide pact.

Related Idioms

• A Faustian pact/bargain: An agreement where one sacrifices something of supreme moral or spiritual importance for a worldly or material benefit (from the legend of Faust).
  • Critics argued that the economic deal was a Faustian pact that would cost the country its environmental integrity.

Noun

1. a written agreement between two states or sovereigns