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
All design, engineering and material decisions have to be finalized long before the factory gears start turning.
—Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Suburban leaders indicated the mix of power sharing and new money could be enough to persuade the likes of Plano and Irving to scrap looming withdrawal elections in the nick of time, with just days before some counties finalize May ballots.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Voters could see May runoff elections Some races may not be finalized in the March 3 election.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The contract, finalized between the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and ICE, is part of a broader expansion.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Suburban leaders indicated the mix of power sharing and new money could be enough to persuade the likes of Plano and Irving to scrap looming withdrawal elections in the nick of time, with just days before some counties finalize May ballots.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Voters could see May runoff elections Some races may not be finalized in the March 3 election.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The contract, finalized between the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and ICE, is part of a broader expansion.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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