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 new procedures for White House review have been in the works for months, but they were just recently finalized and are now in full effect.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert may have finalized their divorce, but their legal battles aren’t over yet.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 9 May 2025
Clarifying and finalizing these procedures, from employee responsibilities and checklists to compliance and safety standards, must start at your first food business location.
—Carey Bringle, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
The sale of the single-family home in the 1100 block of Garfield Ave., San Jose, has been finalized.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert may have finalized their divorce, but their legal battles aren’t over yet.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 9 May 2025
Clarifying and finalizing these procedures, from employee responsibilities and checklists to compliance and safety standards, must start at your first food business location.
—Carey Bringle, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
The sale of the single-family home in the 1100 block of Garfield Ave., San Jose, has been finalized.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 9 May 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 17 May. 2025.
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