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

At the end of 2025, Connecticut officials gave a loose timeline of wrapping up negotiations and finalizing the state’s contract before the 2026 planting season. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Most of the candidates in District 22, including Keiser and Askar, didn’t launch their campaigns until the new congressional districts were finalized in May. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2026

The department argued that the lawsuit was premature, since the agencies involved in the order had yet to finalize actions to implement the policies. — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

The sale of the single-family residence in the 3300 block of Deer Hill Road, Lafayette has been finalized. — Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 24 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