waive
To voluntarily give up a right, claim, or requirement
Examples
In a meeting
“We'll waive the late fee since this is your first missed deadline.”
Over coffee
“The landlord agreed to waive the pet deposit for us.”
Why this word
give up
waive is the legal/formal term for voluntarily relinquishing a right or claim, while give up is informal and general
forgo
waive specifically involves formally renouncing a known right or requirement, while forgo simply means doing without
surrender
waive implies voluntary legal/formal relinquishment, while surrender suggests yielding under pressure or force
Usage tip
Use when someone with authority chooses not to enforce a rule or collect a fee
Etymology
Anglo-Norman: weyver (to abandon, waive)
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Related words
reconsider
Think about a decision or opinion again with the possibility of changing it
adapt
To change something to fit new conditions or purposes
default
Revert to an automatic choice when no action is taken
interchangeable
Able to be exchanged or substituted with one another
alternative
Another option or choice available
accommodate
To adapt or make adjustments to meet someone's needs