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 LaLiga Studios, a partnership between Banijay Iberia and Spain’s top soccer division, has finalized a deal with Little Spain, the production company run by popular Spanish recording artist C Tangana, to develop a fiction series set inside the La Liga universe. —

Jamie Lang, Variety, 22 July 2024 Some good news: In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized new regulations around a family of about 15,000 chemicals known as PFAS. —

Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024 Residents buying during preconstruction sales are locking in a dollar amount and floor plan, but sales are not done until association fees are finalized, allowing buyers to back out. —

Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2024 The Indiana Democratic Party has not finalized its delegation yet. —

Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 21 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for finalize

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'finalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.