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.

Their divorce was finalized in 2022, but Clarkson had to pay Blackstock, 47, a monthly spousal support of $115,000 until January 2024. —

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Those pay hikes — four years of raises and an array of other financial incentives — were not finalized until several months after her budget went into effect. —

David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 The Traitors contestant finalized his divorce from ex-wife Britney Spears in May 2024 following a year-long separation that began in July 2023. —

Emily Blackwood, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025 The Pennsylvania senator said the date of the meeting has yet to be finalized. —

Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for finalize