Deviation vs. Waiver: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 11, 2023
Deviation is a departure from a standard or norm; Waiver is a voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some right or privilege.
Key Differences
Deviation and Waiver serve different linguistic and functional purposes in English. Deviation often points to a difference, variance, or divergence from an expected norm or standard. In contrast, a Waiver represents a formalized decision to relinquish a right, claim, or privilege, often in legal contexts.
In many situations, a Deviation might occur unintentionally. For instance, a manufacturing error might lead to a deviation from the desired product specification. Conversely, Waivers are intentional actions, like when someone signs a waiver to not hold an organization liable for potential injuries.
It's essential to recognize that a Deviation doesn't necessarily imply permission. For example, if someone deviates from a set path, they might be doing so without approval. However, a Waiver is a clear indication of granted permission or a choice to forgo a certain right.
Deviation, in statistical terms, can indicate how spread out numbers are from the average, showcasing variability. Waiver, steadfast in its definition, remains anchored in the realm of rights, claims, and permissions, often requiring documentation to be valid.
Both Deviation and Waiver have implications in professional environments. While businesses may work to minimize deviations to maintain quality, they might require waivers from stakeholders to mitigate potential liabilities or claims.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Departure from a standard or norm
Relinquishment of a right or privilege
Intent
Can be unintentional
Always intentional
Implication
Doesn't imply permission
Implies granted permission
Common Usage
Quality control, statistics
Legal documents, permissions
Associated Actions
Occur, Result from
Sign, Grant, Forgo
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Deviation and Waiver Definitions
Deviation
The difference between one of a set of values and some fixed value
The engineer recorded the deviation of each measurement.
Waiver
An act of waiving a right or claim
She signed a waiver before going skydiving.
Deviation
A departure from customary conduct
His deviation from protocol surprised everyone.
Waiver
A reservation of rights, often in contracts
The waiver clause in the agreement was clear.
Deviation
A divergence from an established course or standard
The deviation in the product's quality was noticeable.
Waiver
Intentional relinquishment of a known right
His waiver of the fees was a kind gesture.
Deviation
A measure of difference or change
The statistical deviation from the mean was significant.
Waiver
An exemption from a requirement or duty
The council granted a waiver for the zoning rules.
Deviation
The act of deviating or turning aside.
Waiver
Intentional relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege.
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
The document that evidences such relinquishment.
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
A dispensation, as from a rule or penalty.
Deviation
An instance of this; an abnormality or departure from a norm
"Vice was a deviation from our nature" (Henry Fielding).
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
Deflection of a compass needle caused by local magnetic influence, especially on a ship.
Waiver
A deferment.
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
To provide with a waiver or issue a waiver for.
Deviation
The act of deviating; wandering off the correct or true path or road.
Waiver
The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some right, claim, or privilege.
Deviation
A departure from the correct way of acting.
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
The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
Mankind’s deviation from divine will
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
A detour in a road or railway.
Waiver
(obsolete) The process of waiving or outlawing a person.
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
(transitive) To waive (to relinquish, to forego).
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.
Waiver
Misspelling of waver
Deviation
(Absolute Deviation) The shortest distance between the center of the target and the point where a projectile hits or bursts.
Waiver
The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some right, claim, or privilege.
Deviation
(statistics) For interval variables and ratio variables, a measure of difference between the observed value and the mean.
Waiver
A formal written statement of relinquishment
Deviation
(metrology) The signed difference between a value and its reference value.
Waiver
A document recording such an act
The legal team reviewed the waiver thoroughly.
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
Deviation
An act of deviating
The flight had a slight deviation due to bad weather.
FAQs
Can someone retract a waiver once given?
Generally, no, especially if it's been formally agreed upon.
Is deviation synonymous with error?
Not always. While an error is a mistake, a deviation is a departure from a norm, which isn't necessarily incorrect.
Does deviation imply wrongdoing?
No, it simply indicates a departure from a standard or norm.
Are waivers legally binding?
Yes, most waivers, when properly executed, are legally binding.
How can businesses manage deviations?
Through quality control and continuous monitoring.
Is a deviation always intentional?
No, a deviation can be unintentional.
Can a deviation be corrected?
Yes, depending on the context, deviations can be corrected.
Is a waiver permanent?
It depends on the terms. Some waivers are temporary, others permanent.
Why might someone need a waiver?
To be exempt from a duty or to relinquish certain rights, often to participate in an activity.
Can a deviation be positive?
Yes, in some contexts, like a positive deviation from the average.
Does a waiver require a signature?
Often, especially when it's a legal document.
What's the opposite of a waiver?
Assertion or exercise of a right.
Can a deviation be minor?
Yes, deviations can be minor or significant.
Are all waivers legally enforceable?
Most are, but it depends on the legality and fairness of the waiver's terms
Does deviation always indicate a problem?
No, it's just a departure from what's expected, which isn't always negative.
What's the primary purpose of a waiver?
To formally give up a right, claim, or privilege.
Does every deviation need correction?
No, only if it's detrimental or undesired.
Is a waiver always in written form?
While oral waivers exist, written waivers are more common and reliable.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
