finalize

verb

fi·nal·ize ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz

finalized; finalizing

Synonyms of finalize next

transitive verb

: to put in final or finished form

soon my conclusion will be finalized—

D. D. Eisenhower

: to give final approval to

finalizing the papers prepared … by his staff—

Newsweek

finalization

ˌfī-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən

noun

Usage of Finalize

Finalize has been frequently castigated as an unnecessary neologism or as U.S. government gobbledygook. It appears to have first gained currency in Australia (where it has been acceptable all along) in the early 1920s. The U.S. Navy picked it up in the late 20s, and from there it came into widespread use. It is a standard formation (see -ize). Currently, it is most frequently used in government and business dealings; it usually is not found in belles-lettres.

Examples of finalize in a Sentence

They are finalizing their divorce this week. We bought our tickets and finalized our vacation plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Only one company, Layfield Group — which had installed the cover in 2012 — turned in a bid, and the contract was finalized Nov. 21 for about $130,000. —

Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Importers, who finalized their 2025 orders in October 2024, risk paying tariffs on shipments in transit should duties be imposed mid-shipment. —

Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Alexis filed for divorce two years later, which was finalized in 2021. —

Skyler Caruso, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025 Nearly two years after the state’s deadline, Santa Clara County is close to finalizing plans for its future housing goals, but the long delay could eventually lead to more sprawl in rural areas prone to wildfires and floods. —

Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for finalize