Throne & Thrown

Sometimes, in fact, the throne gets overthrown!

Stair & Stare

Why did the celebrity have a private elevator installed? Because they didn't like the stares.

Ensure & Insure

This one's a little tough. Ensure and Insure are so close in meaning that some definitions seem to list them as synonyms. But others, not quite. There seems to be a slight difference, at least in tone. If I had to explain it, I'd say that the significant difference seems to be:

When you use it with an E, you mean you're taking an active role in preventing harm, loss, or damage from occurring. An ounce of prevention.

When you use it with an I, you mean you're agreeing to documentation stating that should harm, loss, or damage occur, you will be compensated for it. A pound of cure.

I've been seeing them used interchangeably a lot lately, and it could be that the meanings are shifting, and one day we won't have both spellings anymore. But I don't think we're there just yet, and I guess I'm here advocating for their uniqueness. Like a sentimental schmuck.

Dear & Deer

With an A – precious, sentimental, beloved.
With two Es – Bambi, Rudolph, House Baratheon.

C, Sea, See

Humerus & Humorous

"Why did I laugh when you broke your arm? Because it was humerus!"
This is one of my all-time favorite homophones. Can't believe it took me so long to get to it.

Choral & Coral

With an H – referring to a choir.
Without an H – a type of marine invertebrate.

Lam & Lamb

Why are police on the lookout for wool?
Because it's always on the lamb!
Mm-hm.

Chance & Chants

Chased & Chaste

Why did Pac-Man make out with the ghost? 

Because he was tired of being chaste.

Shoe & Shoo

In the summer, I say "shoo" to my shoes.

Graham & Gram

How much does a s'more weigh?
Two grahams.

Gawd, I could keep this up all year... :)

Idle & Idol

Hey, any excuse to dig the Indiana Jones images back up, right? :)

Waive & Wave

Once I got a parking ticket on my surfboard.
No way! Did you pay it?
Nah, I had it waved.

Thank you, thank you, you're too kind.

Allowed & Aloud

Why couldn't the priest lead a silent prayer? Because it wasn't aloud.
Ba dum bum.

Sail & Sale

Grimaced & Grimmest

Grimaced – (v.) past tense of Grimace, an expression of displeasure.
Grimmest – (adj.) the most grim.
So, yes, maybe I grimaced because I was the grimmest.

Breach & Breech

With an A – (v.) break through from one area into another.
With an E – (n.) hind section of an object or animal.

Berth & Birth

With an E – a sort of smallish sleeping space, or other designated area such as for docking boats.
With an I – a sort of smallish person undocking from its mother.

Scoot & Scute

-oot – (v.) a little bit sliding, a little bit shuffling, just kinda nudgin' along, y'know?
-ute – (n.) a bony plate such as the ones that cover a turtle's or armadillo's shell.
Speaking of which, whaddaya think of that cute little turtle? 'Scute, isn't it? :)