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

—D. D. Eisenhower

2

: 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.

Synonyms

• complete
• consummate
• finish
• perfect
• polish

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

Haack, 41, finalized her divorce from ex-husband Josh Hall in May. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 3 June 2025

The report says a deal between Perplexity and Samsung could be finalized soon. —James Peckham, PC Magazine, 2 June 2025

Just over a year removed from one of the more remarkable runs in NCAA Tournament history, the UConn men’s basketball program is reportedly finalizing an agreement for a rematch with Illinois in November. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2025

Minnesota finalized the move late Saturday night after a whale of a week to open free agency. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

final entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for finalize

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

Kids Definition

finalize

verb

fi·​nal·​ize ˈfīn-ᵊl-īz 

finalized; finalizing

: to put in final or finished form