treaty
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for treaty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A formal, legally binding agreement between countries or international organizations.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use treaty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French traitié, ultimately from Latin tractāre, "to handle" — the same root as "treat."
Full origin of treaty →Frequently asked questions
What does “treaty” mean?
The word “treaty” means a formal, legally binding agreement between countries or international organizations. In plain terms, a treaty is an official agreement between nations, usually reached after formal negotiation.
How do you pronounce “treaty”?
“Treaty” is pronounced TREE-tee (/ˈtɹiti/ in IPA).
How do you use “treaty” in a sentence?
Here is “treaty” used in a sentence: “The two nations signed a peace treaty ending decades of conflict.”
What part of speech is “treaty”?
“Treaty” is a noun.
Where does the word “treaty” come from?
The word “treaty” comes from Latin. From Old French traitié, ultimately from Latin tractāre, "to handle" — the same root as "treat.".
Is “treaty” a common word?
“Treaty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “treaty” have?
“Treaty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal, legally binding agreement between countries or international organizations.
What is the difference between a treaty and an agreement?
A treaty is a formal, legally binding agreement specifically between countries or international organizations, while an "agreement" is a broader term that can be formal or informal and made between any parties. All treaties are agreements, but not all agreements rise to the level of a treaty.
What is the difference between a treaty and a pact?
Both are formal agreements between nations, but "treaty" is the standard legal term for a binding international document, while "pact" is often less technical and can suggest a solemn or strategic understanding. In everyday use they overlap, though official documents almost always use "treaty."
What is the difference between a treaty and a convention?
A treaty is often an agreement between a limited number of states, while a convention is commonly a multilateral treaty setting broad rules that many countries can join. Both are legally binding, and "convention" is simply a common name for a particular kind of treaty.
What preposition goes with 'treaty'?
You make "a treaty with" another country, sign "a treaty between" two or more parties, and agree "a treaty on" a particular subject, as in "a treaty on trade." These prepositions signal the parties involved and the topic covered.