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

In the last few years, his family gave him an ultimatum: Either get sober or lose his family. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024

However, before finding this success, the group must first trudge through the misery of poor album sales and threats of being dropped from their label, at which point their manager (Yuya Endo) gives them an ultimatum. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024

Relocation ultimatums aren’t common—or without risk Relocation ultimatums were relatively unheard of before the pandemic. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 June 2024

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

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