finalize
To complete or put into final form
Examples
In a meeting
“Let's finalize the contract by Friday so we can start next week.”
Over coffee
“I need to finalize my vacation plans before the rates go up.”
Why this word
finish
Finalize specifically means making final decisions and completing all details officially, while finish just means bringing to an end
complete
Finalize emphasizes the last stage of approval and making something official, while complete focuses on doing all parts without the approval aspect
end
Finalize conveys a formal conclusion with all details settled, while end is too general and doesn't capture the decisiveness or formality
Usage tip
Use when something is nearly complete and needs only final touches or approval
Etymology
Latin finalis meaning 'final' or 'end'
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Related words
backtrack
To reverse a previous decision or statement
saturate
Fill completely until no more can be absorbed
abandon
To stop pursuing or supporting something completely
discard
To get rid of something as no longer useful
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps.