Synonyms of waive

waive

verb

as in to deny

to officially say that you will not use or require something that you are allowed to have or that is usually required

She waived her right to a lawyer.

The university waives the application fee for low-income students.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deny
• relinquish
• cede
• disclaim
• surrender
• disavow
• renounce
• resign
• abjure
• disown
• abdicate
• demit
• forsake
• vacate
• abandon
• abnegate
• step down (from)
• step aside (from)
• yield
• hand over
• give up
• desert
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assume
• claim
• appropriate
• protect
• confiscate
• seize
• defend
• take over
• arrogate
• safeguard
• secure
• usurp
• guard
• wrest

Synonym Chooser

How is the word waive different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of waive are abandon, relinquish, resign, surrender, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When is it sensible to use abandon instead of waive?

The synonyms abandon and waive are sometimes interchangeable, but abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When is relinquish a more appropriate choice than waive?

The words relinquish and waive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When might resign be a better fit than waive?

In some situations, the words resign and waive are roughly equivalent. However, resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When could surrender be used to replace waive?

While the synonyms surrender and waive are close in meaning, surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would yield be a reasonable alternative to waive?

The words yield and waive can be used in similar contexts, but yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of waive

To accept the money, residents had to waive their right to sue the company in the future. —Shradha Dinesh, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025

Speaking of the supes, housing advocates are upset over a proposal to temporarily waive state housing laws in Altadena and other unincorporated areas impacted by wildfires. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2025

Cox, who owns a 4% share in the beleaguered chain, agreed to waive a $1.6 million security interest in the property as part of the sale. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025

The charges other than murder will be waived as part of the plea agreement, documents show. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2025