1
as in to standardize
to make agree with a single established standard or model
we'll need to formalize our research results before we submit our study for review
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to approve
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory
the plan has yet to be formalized by the city council
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formalize
It was formalized under Grover Cleveland, who had reformed and routinized the exercise of pardoning while governor of New York and sought to do the same as president.
—
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Cowork formalizes this usage pattern by removing terminal requirements and adding a more approachable interface.
—Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Hours later, Bichette’s exit was formalized.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The partnerships with Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral AI and Perplexity were formalized over the last year but have not been publicly shared, Wikimedia said.
—Lola Murti, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Cowork formalizes this usage pattern by removing terminal requirements and adding a more approachable interface.
—Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Hours later, Bichette’s exit was formalized.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The partnerships with Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral AI and Perplexity were formalized over the last year but have not been publicly shared, Wikimedia said.
—Lola Murti, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formalize
Verb
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Then the French started to standardize their muskets.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The administration moved to standardize body cameras on Monday, satisfying probably the easiest area of agreement.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Chiefs work to get their stadium and facilities up and running before the 2031-2032 season, any development and additional incentive requests will need to be approved at the local level.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2026
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The daycare approved by state officials dictated Rochelle’s schedule.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While the February deadline may not be a firm one, the government will need a deal in hand well before expiration day so the Arizona Legislature and possibly Congress have time to ratify the details.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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The pressure now shifts to the House, where lawmakers will have to decide whether to swiftly ratify the Senate plan or reopen a deeper fight over immigration and other policy priorities.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Iran’s sweeping crackdown on anti-government demonstrations left more than 6,800 people dead, the vast majority of them protesters killed last month, according to an advocacy organization tracking and confirming the fatalities.—
Maham Javaid,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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Ivory mentioned that a similar pipe failure last summer caused more than $1 million in damage and said recent site visits have confirmed that these breakdowns are recurring and structural, not accidental.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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New Delhi Reuters — India and the European Union have finalized a long pending landmark trade deal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, as the two sides seek to hedge against fickle ties with the US.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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The mediation agreement, which builds on but contains key changes from a prior arrangement hashed out last November between Fairview and M Physicians alone, is expected to be finalized by a vote of the U’s Board of Regents on Friday.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formalize. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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