finalize
verb
fi·nal·ize
ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz 
finalized; finalizing
1
: to put in final or finished form
Soon my conclusion will be finalized.—
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower2
: to give final approval to
The proposed regulations have not been finalized by the … administration.—Mike Duncan
Mike Duncan
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).
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
If finalized, the deal would mark Mastercard’s largest move yet into the stablecoin sector.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
The divorce was finalized in February 2019, and ordered McCrary to pay $1,366 per month in child support ($916 as a base amount, plus $415 in child-care costs), according to documents obtained by PEOPLE at the time.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Mel and Fabiana finalized their divorce in December 2024 after an almost five-year legal battle.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
Kelsey Grammer and Donatacci, who share two kids (Mason and Jude) together, tied the knot in 1997 and were married for 13 years before Donatacci filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2011.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
The divorce was finalized in February 2019, and ordered McCrary to pay $1,366 per month in child support ($916 as a base amount, plus $415 in child-care costs), according to documents obtained by PEOPLE at the time.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Mel and Fabiana finalized their divorce in December 2024 after an almost five-year legal battle.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
Kelsey Grammer and Donatacci, who share two kids (Mason and Jude) together, tied the knot in 1997 and were married for 13 years before Donatacci filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2011.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 29 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 Nov. 2025.
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