Deviation vs. Waiver — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 24, 2023
Deviation is a departure from a standard or norm, while a waiver is a formal relinquishment of a right or claim.
Difference Between Deviation and Waiver
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Deviation generally refers to a departure or divergence from a set path or standard. It implies a variation from what is expected or usual in a particular context. For instance, in quality control, a deviation might signify a product that does not meet the set standards. Waiver, on the other hand, is a term often used in legal contexts to refer to the voluntary relinquishment of a known right or claim. It is a conscious decision to forgo a right, often documented in writing.
In manufacturing, a deviation could mean that a product differs from its specifications. This could be due to an error, change in materials, or a decision to diverge based on specific conditions. A waiver, in this setting, might be a customer's written agreement to accept products that don’t meet the usual criteria.
When considering behavior, a deviation suggests an individual's actions or beliefs that diverge from what is commonly accepted or expected in their society or group. On the contrary, a waiver in behavioral context might mean someone consciously choosing not to exercise a particular right or privilege they possess.
In navigation, deviation pertains to the error introduced in a compass reading due to local magnetic fields within the vessel. Waiver, less commonly applied in this context, could mean the deliberate decision by a navigator to forgo using certain tools or privileges during navigation.
In financial contexts, a deviation might signify a departure from a budget or financial plan, indicating either over-spending or under-spending. A waiver, however, may refer to an agreement by a creditor to forgo a particular payment or to reduce a charge for a specified period.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
A departure from a standard or norm.
A formal relinquishment of a right or claim.
Common Usage
Often used to describe variations.
Frequently associated with legal documents.
Intent
Typically unintentional.
Intentional and conscious decision.
Documentation
Might require justification or corrective action.
Often requires written documentation.
Consequence
Might result in corrective measures.
Usually leads to forgoing certain rights or privileges.
Compare with Definitions
Deviation
A divergence from a norm or expected behavior.
Her deviation from the company's protocol surprised everyone.
Waiver
A formal relinquishment of a right or claim.
He signed a waiver before participating in the extreme sport.
Deviation
A navigational error due to local magnetic fields.
The ship's compass had a deviation due to the onboard electronics.
Waiver
A voluntary surrender of a legal right.
The landlord provided a waiver for this month's rent.
Deviation
A variation from a direct or intended course.
The pilot made a deviation from the planned route to avoid the storm.
Waiver
A temporary abandonment or cessation.
The company granted her a waiver from the dress code during the summer months.
Deviation
A departure from a set path or standard.
The deviation in the machine's output was unexpected.
Waiver
A waiver is the voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some known right or privilege. Regulatory agencies of state departments or the federal government may issue waivers to exempt companies from certain regulations.
Deviation
The degree by which a value varies from an average or mean.
The temperature showed a 5-degree deviation from the yearly average.
Waiver
Intentional relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege.
Deviation
The action of departing from an established course or accepted standard
Sexual deviation
Deviations from Standard English
Deviation from a norm
Waiver
The document that evidences such relinquishment.
Deviation
The amount by which a single measurement differs from a fixed value such as the mean
A significant deviation from the average value
Waiver
A dispensation, as from a rule or penalty.
Deviation
The deflection of a ship's compass needle caused by iron in the ship.
Waiver
Permission for a professional athletic club to assign a player to the minor leagues or release a player from the club, granted only after all other clubs have been given the opportunity to claim the player and have not done so.
Deviation
The act of deviating or turning aside.
Waiver
A deferment.
Deviation
An instance of this
"We made so many deviations up and down lanes ... that I was quite tired, and very glad, when we saw Yarmouth" (Charles Dickens).
Waiver
To provide with a waiver or issue a waiver for.
Deviation
Divergence from an accepted idea, policy, or norm of behavior
"Freud, as the leader of a powerful new movement, could not bear much deviation from his own central ideas" (Joseph Epstein).
Waiver
The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some right, claim, or privilege.
Deviation
An instance of this; an abnormality or departure from a norm
"Vice was a deviation from our nature" (Henry Fielding).
Waiver
(legal) A legal document removing some requirement, such as waiving a right (giving it up) or a waiver of liability (agreeing to hold someone blameless).
I had to sign a waiver when I went skydiving, agreeing not to sue even if something went wrong.
Deviation
Deflection of a compass needle caused by local magnetic influence, especially on a ship.
Waiver
Something that releases a person from a requirement.
I needed a waiver from the department head to take the course because I didn't technically have the prerequisite courses.
I needed a waiver from the zoning board for the house because the lot was so small, but they let me build because it was next to the park.
Deviation
(Statistics) The difference, especially the absolute difference, between one number in a set of data and the mean of that set of data.
Waiver
(obsolete) The process of waiving or outlawing a person.
Deviation
The act of deviating; wandering off the correct or true path or road.
Waiver
(transitive) To waive (to relinquish, to forego).
Deviation
A departure from the correct way of acting.
Waiver
The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some right, claim, or privilege.
Deviation
The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
Mankind’s deviation from divine will
Waiver
A formal written statement of relinquishment
Deviation
A detour in a road or railway.
Waiver
A document that evidences the giving up of a right.
The gym required a waiver to be signed before using their facilities.
Deviation
(aviation) A detour to one side of the originally-planned flightpath (for instance, to avoid weather); the act of making such a detour.
Waiver
An intentional decision to not enforce a rule or claim.
The school granted him a waiver for his late assignment due to his medical situation.
Deviation
(contract law) The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility.
Deviation
(Absolute Deviation) The shortest distance between the center of the target and the point where a projectile hits or bursts.
Deviation
(statistics) For interval variables and ratio variables, a measure of difference between the observed value and the mean.
Deviation
(metrology) The signed difference between a value and its reference value.
Deviation
The act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation from the common way, from an established rule, etc.; departure, as from the right course or the path of duty.
Deviation
The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
Deviation
The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility.
Deviation
The difference between an expected value of an observation or measurement and the actual value.
Deviation
A variation that deviates from the standard or norm;
The deviation from the mean
Deviation
The difference between an observed value and the expected value of a variable or function
Deviation
The error of a compass due to local magnetic disturbances
Deviation
Deviate behavior
Deviation
A turning aside (of your course or attention or concern);
A diversion from the main highway
A digression into irrelevant details
A deflection from his goal
Common Curiosities
Can a waiver be given verbally?
While it's possible, waivers are often more enforceable when documented in writing.
Is deviation always unintentional?
No, a deviation can be either intentional or unintentional.
Can deviation be positive?
Yes, deviation can be positive or negative, depending on the context.
What could be a reason for a deviation in a manufacturing process?
Reasons can vary, including equipment malfunctions, human error, or changes in materials.
Can a person retract a waiver once given?
Generally, once a waiver is given, especially in writing, it's binding, but situations may vary.
Can a waiver be conditional?
Yes, waivers can have conditions attached based on the agreement's terms.
In what context is a waiver most commonly found?
Waivers are most commonly found in legal contexts, often to relinquish rights or claims.
What does the term "deviation" typically imply?
Deviation usually refers to a departure or divergence from a set path or standard.
How does waiver differ from deviation?
While deviation is a departure from a norm, a waiver is a formal relinquishment of a right or claim.
Is a waiver always permanent?
No, a waiver can be temporary or conditional based on the agreement.
Can deviation be seen in nature?
Yes, deviation can be observed in variations from expected patterns or norms in nature.
Is signing a waiver mandatory in risky activities?
Often yes, many organizations require waivers to limit their legal liabilities.
Why might someone issue a waiver?
Reasons can include goodwill gestures, promotional tactics, or to avoid potential disputes.
Can a deviation lead to innovation?
Yes, deviation from the norm can lead to new discoveries and innovations.
Are deviations always documented?
In regulated industries, deviations are often documented for quality control and compliance.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
