ultimatum

noun

ul·​ti·​ma·​tum ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-təm  -ˈmä- 

plural ultimatums or ultimata ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-tə 

-ˈmä-

: a final proposition, condition, or demand

especially : one whose rejection will end negotiations and cause a resort to force or other direct action

Synonyms

• claim
• demand
• dun
• importunity
• requisition

Examples of ultimatum in a Sentence

She was given an ultimatum—work harder or lose her job.

issued the ultimatum that the project be finished by the following week, or it would be terminated

Recent Examples on the Web

The spat was compounded by US President Donald Trump’s suggestion to dismiss the multi-staged approach of the ceasefire deal altogether and giving Hamas an ultimatum to release all the hostages at once. —Dana Karni, Ibrahim Dahman and Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025

Instead of rolling with the punches, C.K. basically gave Lete an ultimatum and implied that if Lete didn’t jump for her, their alliance would suffer. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025

According to a source close to Henry, Payne gave her an ultimatum. —Federico Fahsbender, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025

On Thursday afternoon, a federal judge in Boston temporarily halted President Trump’s federal employee buyout program, though the impact of the DOGE ultimatums blitz means thousands of desks are already empty. —Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, neuter of ultimatus final

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ultimatum

• latum
• verbatim

Kids Definition

ultimatum

noun

ul·​ti·​ma·​tum ˌəl-tə-ˈmāt-əm  -ˈmät- 

plural ultimatums or ultimata -ə 

: a demand that if rejected will bring about an end of peaceful talks and could lead to forceful action