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

Casually tucked at the end of an article about Demon Hunters merch was confirmation that Netflix had finalized a deal for a second movie with directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, as well as Sony (which originally developed KPop Demon Hunters). —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025

In April 1989, just months after the divorce was finalized, Dan and Linda married. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

This wasn’t long after the divorce was finalized. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025

The final details, however, are yet to be finalized. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025

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