The verb finalize is close in meaning to the verb complete—both deal with finishing something. But complete is more likely to be used in discussion of tasks or steps, such as completing a job application or an essay for school. Finalize occurs more in discussion of protracted engagements, such as long business negotiations or a divorce. Note that finalize draws the ire of some stylists, along with other -ize verbs such as prioritize—so perhaps avoid this term in your next ode or sonnet! But rest assured, dear scribes, finalize is widely used in speech and writing.

To call something absurd is to point out its utter senselessness or foolishness. To call something incongruous is to point that it is out of place or inconsistent. These two adjectives, which emphasize slightly different qualities, overlap when the incongruity or inconsistency under discussion is so pronounced or outlandish that it veers into the absurd or laughable.

When you determine something, you conclude or ascertain it by reasoning or observation. When you verify something, you prove its truth or correctness, or you confirm it. There is a resoluteness to both terms, but verify has veritas (truth) at its core. To verify the accuracy of information, as a journalist does, is to fact-check it or confirm that it’s true. To verify the authenticity of an antique or artwork is to confirm its provenance or history of ownership. And to verify the identity of someone, as when accessing sensitive information online, is to make certain that that person is who they claim to be.