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

Biden and some congressional leaders argued that the ultimatum against TikTok was necessary because of security concerns about ByteDance and its connections to the Chinese government. —Selina Wang, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2024

But in France at the moment, today’s ultimatum is tomorrow’s obsolescence. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

Beyond the likelihood of an unwanted outcome, ultimatums can also be a sneaky form of manipulation, even if that wasn’t your intention. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Dec. 2024

Within the conversation, the Chicago native claims to have been presented with an ultimatum from Lyor Cohen in an attempt to force him into a 360-record deal. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, neuter of ultimatus final

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

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