waive

verb

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\ ˈwāv

waived; waiving

Definition of waive

transitive verb

1a : to relinquish (something, such as a legal right) voluntarily waive a jury trial

b : to refrain from pressing or enforcing (something, such as a claim or rule) : forgo waive the fee

2 : to put off from immediate consideration : postpone

3 [influenced by wave entry 1] : to dismiss with or as if with a wave of the hand waived the problem aside

4 : to place (a ball player) on waivers also : to release after placing on waivers

5 : to throw away (stolen goods)

6 archaic : give up, forsake

7 archaic : to shunt aside (a danger or duty) : evade

Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About waive

Choose the Right Synonym for waive

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. relinquished her crown yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. the troops yielded ground grudgingly resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. resigned her position surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. surrendered their claims abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. abandoned all hope waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. waived the right to a trial by jury

Examples of waive in a Sentence

She waived her right to a lawyer. The university waives the application fee for low-income students.

Recent Examples on the Web The report is expected to be heard in the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games, unless council members waive it out of committee. — David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2021 Pfizer will also forgo royalties in low-income countries and waive them in others, so long as covid-19 remains an international public health emergency, the statement said. — Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2021 However, those hopes were squashed once New England decided to trade its Pro Bowl corner, rather than waive him. — Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2021 The Houston Rockets signed him the following season only to waive him after 10 games. — Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2021 Again, Bishop’s NMC calls the shots here, and there’s not much of a reason for Bishop to waive it. — Matthew Defranks, Dallas News, 22 May 2021 Instead, teams have chosen to trade him (Cardinals), waive him (Dolphins) and leave him unprotected on their practice squad (Buccaneers), all before his 24th birthday. — Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Feb. 2021 Under the bill, certain health plans would have to offer coverage for two mental health wellness examinations per year performed by a licensed mental health provider and waive the requirement for prior authorization. — Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2022 Scavino, however, has argued the law isn’t settled yet on whether the current President can waive privilege on all testimony, including Scavino’s conversations with Trump, especially if Trump may make a claim to secrecy of his own. — Annie Grayer, CNN, 6 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near waive

wait until/till

waive

waiver

Statistics for waive

Last Updated

19 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Waive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waive. Accessed 21 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for waive

waive

verb

\ ˈwāv

waived; waiving

Kids Definition of waive

: to give up claim to

waive

transitive verb

\ ˈwāv

waived; waiving

Legal Definition of waive

1 : to relinquish (as a right or privilege) voluntarily and intentionally the defendant waived a felony hearing on the charge — National Law Journal — compare forfeit, reserve

2 : to refrain from enforcing or requiring some statutes waive the age requirement— W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.