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

In March, the city finalized its plan to use the settlement money, put in the Opioid Restitution Fund, to reduce fatal overdoses by 50% in 14 years. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

That means any rule — once finalized — could be subject to legal challenge. —Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026

The sale of the single-family home in the 700 block of Sunset Drive in San Carlos has been finalized. —Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026

The first tranche of the deal was expected to be finalized by mid-March, but talks are still ongoing, leading to further delays. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026

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