These are all synonyms, but here is how they can differ: Finish--can be used for any task, large or small. "I need to finish the laundry before I make dinner." "As soon as you finish your dinner it's time to go to bed." Complete--this suggests there are several parts to the task to finish and it puts emphasis on every part of a task needing to be finished; this is less likely a task that needs to be redone anytime soon "Don't turn in the form until you complete all the attached pages." It can also describe the quality of being finished. "I'm all done cleaning the car." "Are you completely done? Did you clean the inside too?" Finalize--this suggests that there is a lot of work involved and there is a process specific to finishing such as editing a paper or sealing grout on a tile floor. "I have been working on my thesis for months but I think I'm ready to finalize my closing pages." "It's taken eight months, but the divorce is finalized on Tuesday."