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.

Related 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

Dissimilar Words

• 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

But the law waives the permit requirement for facilities in operation before 2012. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026

Kilkelly was charged after the city adopted a resolution waiving some license fees for local businesses during COVID. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026

Kaiir Elam, their top veteran cornerback addition last offseason, was waived in November after playing in 10 games. —Jon MacHota, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Waltz had waived his right to appeal as part of his plea deal. —Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 11 Feb. 2026