finalize

verb

fi·​nal·​ize ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz 

finalized; finalizing

transitive verb

1

: to put in final or finished form

Soon my conclusion will be finalized.

—Dwight D. Eisenhower

2

: to give final approval to

The proposed regulations have not been finalized by the … administration.

—Mike Duncan

finalization

ˌfī-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

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).

Synonyms of finalize

• finish
• complete

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 agreement, which is yet to be finalized, both corridors would remain open. — CNN Money, 12 July 2026

To prepare for this phase, Proxima previously finalized an agreement with RWE to site the first commercial power plant at a former nuclear fission facility in Gundremmingen, Bavaria. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026

Those proceedings were finalized before a public auction was to take place on June 6. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

After the items are received, inspected and approved, USGB will finalize the sale and issue payment. — Javier Simon, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

final entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for finalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

finalize

verb

fi·​nal·​ize ˈfīn-ᵊl-īz 

finalized; finalizing

: to put in final or finished form