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Waive vs. Wave

Waive

/weɪv/

To give up a right or claim willingly

Examples:

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Wave

/weɪv/

A moving ridge on the surface of a liquid or an undulating motion; can also mean a gesture with the hand.

Examples:

She gave a wave and smiled.The waves crashed against the rocks.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

Waive has an i in it, just like in I give up, which is related to relinquishing a right.
Wave can be remembered with the motion of your hand; you make a wave shape when you greet someone.
Think of wave as part of the ocean or the gesture you make, which both involve movement.
A waive is more about legal terms and giving up rights, whereas a wave is all about greetings or patterns.
Keep in mind waive when you are talking about not enforcing something, like a fee or a right.

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