finalize
verb
fi·nal·ize
ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz 
finalized; finalizing
1
: to put in final or finished form
Soon my conclusion will be finalized.—
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower2
: to give final approval to
The proposed regulations have not been finalized by the … administration.—Mike Duncan
Mike Duncan
Usage of Finalize
Finalize was formerly castigated as an unnecessary neologism or as U.S. government jargon, but it is now broadly accepted. 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).
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
Under the deal, the city also agreed to immediately stop personnel investigations involving Watson before an investigative report could be finalized.
—Mathew Miranda
december 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Dec. 2025
Once the lab finalizes a design, drones can be distributed throughout the CENTCOM region for field testing.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
After the deal was finalized on July 4, Marx owned Lilli’s likeness in the United States, and by extension, arguably, Barbie’s.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Skelton declined to speak with The Star about Oakley until the City Council finalizes any changes to its animal control ordinance.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Mathew Miranda
december 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Dec. 2025
Once the lab finalizes a design, drones can be distributed throughout the CENTCOM region for field testing.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
After the deal was finalized on July 4, Marx owned Lilli’s likeness in the United States, and by extension, arguably, Barbie’s.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Skelton declined to speak with The Star about Oakley until the City Council finalizes any changes to its animal control ordinance.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 16 Dec. 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 18 Dec. 2025.
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