finalize
verb
fi·nal·ize
ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz 
finalized; finalizing
1
: to put in final or finished form
soon my conclusion will be finalized—
D. D. Eisenhower
D. D. Eisenhower2
: to give final approval to
finalizing the papers prepared … by his staff—Newsweek
Newsweek
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
The list of 20 stations set to receive new fare gates from the four firms has not yet been finalized.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The Rams are expected to finalize the signing of undrafted free agents by Monday.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who finalized their takeover of the club in 2021, celebrated the victory with excitement, heartfelt emotion and deep pride and passion for the team.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Expected to finalize by June 1, the agreement values the company at $25 billion—significantly boosting Guo’s net worth, even though she’s no longer involved in the company.
—Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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.
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The Rams are expected to finalize the signing of undrafted free agents by Monday.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who finalized their takeover of the club in 2021, celebrated the victory with excitement, heartfelt emotion and deep pride and passion for the team.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Expected to finalize by June 1, the agreement values the company at $25 billion—significantly boosting Guo’s net worth, even though she’s no longer involved in the company.
—Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
Cite this Entry
“Finalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalize. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share