finalize
verb
fi·nal·ize
ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz 
finalized; finalizing
1
: to put in final or finished form
soon my conclusion will be finalized—
D. D. Eisenhower
D. D. Eisenhower2
: to give final approval to
finalizing the papers prepared … by his staff—Newsweek
Newsweek
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
Most insurance companies offer online quotes, although some may require a phone call to finalize the process.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Their divorce was finalized in September 2023.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Whitmer and lawmakers are expected to finalize a state budget before the end of the week.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Carr and the two other FCC commissioners are expected to appear before the panel in November, although the exact date is being finalized and could slip later, the person said.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Liz Knueven, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Their divorce was finalized in September 2023.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Whitmer and lawmakers are expected to finalize a state budget before the end of the week.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Carr and the two other FCC commissioners are expected to appear before the panel in November, although the exact date is being finalized and could slip later, the person said.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
Cite this Entry
“Finalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalize. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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