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

Holmes, 46, and his ex Marilee Fiebig settled their divorce weeks after his relationship with Robach, 51, became public; Robach, meanwhile, finalized her divorce from Andrew Shue in March, according to Page Six. —Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024

If finalized, the rule would lead to the approval of about 22,000 additional mortgages every year, the CFPB said. —Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

But that agreement hasn’t been finalized, and some critics worry about the effect on household electricity bills. —Brad Plumer Benjamin Rasmussen, New York Times, 11 June 2024

The appreciation comes months after Portman reportedly finalized her divorce from dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied. —Lisa Respers France, CNN, 10 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

final entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

finalize

verb

fi·​nal·​ize ˈfīn-ᵊl-īz 

finalized; finalizing

: to put in final or finished form