finalize

verb

fi·​nal·​ize ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce finalize (audio)
finalized; finalizing

transitive verb

1
: to put in final or finished form
soon my conclusion will be finalizedD. D. Eisenhower
2
: to give final approval to
finalizing the papers prepared … by his staffNewsweek
finalization 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.
The pair announced their separation in September 2022, finalizing their divorce in March 2024. Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 21 July 2025 Paramount is in the process of finalizing a multibillion-dollar merger with the movie studio Skydance, a deal that requires approval from the Trump administration. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 Fox News has confirmed Cabot and her husband filed for divorce in 2018 and court documents appear to show their divorce was finalized in 2022. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2025 But Washburn said the city’s budget — including finalizing raises — still had to move forward, whether contract negotiations were happening or not. Alex Brizee july 18, Idaho Statesman, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for finalize

Word History

Etymology

final entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of finalize was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Finalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalize. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

finalize

verb
fi·​nal·​ize ˈfīn-ᵊl-īz How to pronounce finalize (audio)
finalized; finalizing
: to put in final or finished form

More from Merriam-Webster on finalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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