Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb formalize

2 senses of formalize

Sense 1
formalize, formalise -- (make formal or official; "We formalized the appointment and gave him a title")
       => declare, adjudge, hold -- (declare to be; "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held that the defendant was innocent")

Sense 2
validate, formalize, formalise -- (declare or make legally valid)
       => authorize, authorise, pass, clear -- (grant authorization or clearance for; "Clear the manuscript for publication"; "The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography")