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 bar owner, Shamel Kelly, told WNBC-TV that Martin gave him what felt like an ultimatum last year to either pay James Caban or risk having his business shut down. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2024

As billionaire Elon Musk’s clash with a Brazilian Supreme Court justice came to a head last week, there were legal twists, insults, ultimatums, defiance, and then, finally, capitulation. —David Biller, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2024

In The Black Bird Oracle, Diana and Matthew are faced with a new challenge — an ultimatum from the Congregation to test the magic of their 7-year-old twins, Pip and Rebecca. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 July 2024

The album is set for release on Friday, June 28, and was already turned in when the rapper received an ultimatum from the production company on Tuesday, June 25, to either remove all character names from the song or scrap the sample itself. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 June 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