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.
More news: One NL Contender Appears Out of Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes Sasaki will not finalize his contract before Jan. 15, when the 2025 international amateur signing period begins. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 Shortly before the book was finalized, Andrea and Jenny e-mailed Thacker about Gerry’s conviction. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 The case was finalized in 2022, and the singer agreed to pay her ex-husband monthly child support of $45,601 for their two children — nine-year-old daughter River Rose and eight-year-old son Remy Alexander — plus a one-time payment of $1.3 million. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 20 Dec. 2024 Earlier on Thursday, Team USA finalized their roster for the tournament The most notable decision was releasing Rangers 2024 first-round pick E.J. Emery. Corey Pronman, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near finalize

Cite this Entry

“Finalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalize. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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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