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
The former couple, who finalized their divorce in 2024, welcomed their second daughter, Delphine, in July 2022.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The studio behind the show, AGC Television, has also finalized a co-production deal with ARD Degeto Film for Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The Jays, pushing a 6-1 lead into the bottom of Tuesday’s third, sat six innings from finalizing an American League Division Series thrashing.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Their divorce was eventually finalized in 2013.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The studio behind the show, AGC Television, has also finalized a co-production deal with ARD Degeto Film for Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The Jays, pushing a 6-1 lead into the bottom of Tuesday’s third, sat six innings from finalizing an American League Division Series thrashing.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Their divorce was eventually finalized in 2013.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 8 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 9 Oct. 2025.
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