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
The Oscar-winning actor and her former husband of 19 years, country musician Keith Urban, finalized their split, including the division of their many homes, in January 2026.
—Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 2 May 2026
The Los Angeles Police Department and Department of Transportation are expected to report on existing regulations on the use of electric bikes in the city, and assist with finalizing fines.
—City News Service, Daily News, 2 May 2026
Feliciano will serve as control person of the Padres once the sale is finalized.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Those findings leave city officials with less money in unassigned reserve funds that could be spent however the city needed, and with only weeks to finalize the next budget ahead of the June 30 deadline before the next fiscal year begins in July.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 2 May 2026
The Los Angeles Police Department and Department of Transportation are expected to report on existing regulations on the use of electric bikes in the city, and assist with finalizing fines.
—City News Service, Daily News, 2 May 2026
Feliciano will serve as control person of the Padres once the sale is finalized.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Those findings leave city officials with less money in unassigned reserve funds that could be spent however the city needed, and with only weeks to finalize the next budget ahead of the June 30 deadline before the next fiscal year begins in July.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for finalize
Cite this Entry
“Finalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalize. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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