variants
or ultimata
as in demands
something that someone insists upon having
issued the ultimatum that the project be finished by the following week, or it would be terminated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ultimatums
This approach preserves deniability and avoids public ultimatums.
—
Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
However, no ultimatums were made to Harbaugh, nor did any discussions with him reach the stage where final decisions about the makeup of his 2026 staff were communicated.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Instead, Washington must shore up its traditional credibility in the world and use it to steer China along a less hostile path, presenting Beijing with dilemmas rather than ultimatums and seeking to shape outcomes over time rather than dictate them immediately.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In the end, the Democrats mostly oriented their demands toward health care—above all, the renewal of expiring Obamacare subsidies—as opposed to, say, prioritizing more abstract ultimatums related to creeping authoritarianism.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Some left because of promotions or retirements, but others because of ultimatums to accept new assignments or resign.
—Eric Tucker, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s ultimatums have not prompted the Kremlin to move one inch in its war in Ukraine so far, other than to give the president a meeting.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2025
Direct lines of contact between the two powers devolved into a muddle of nuclear threats, insults and ultimatums.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Dramatic ultimatums to staff about AI pivots are increasingly common among Apple’s competitors.
—PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025
Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
However, no ultimatums were made to Harbaugh, nor did any discussions with him reach the stage where final decisions about the makeup of his 2026 staff were communicated.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Instead, Washington must shore up its traditional credibility in the world and use it to steer China along a less hostile path, presenting Beijing with dilemmas rather than ultimatums and seeking to shape outcomes over time rather than dictate them immediately.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In the end, the Democrats mostly oriented their demands toward health care—above all, the renewal of expiring Obamacare subsidies—as opposed to, say, prioritizing more abstract ultimatums related to creeping authoritarianism.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Some left because of promotions or retirements, but others because of ultimatums to accept new assignments or resign.
—Eric Tucker, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s ultimatums have not prompted the Kremlin to move one inch in its war in Ukraine so far, other than to give the president a meeting.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2025
Direct lines of contact between the two powers devolved into a muddle of nuclear threats, insults and ultimatums.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Dramatic ultimatums to staff about AI pivots are increasingly common among Apple’s competitors.
—PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ultimatums
Noun
-
Leaders must balance immediate operational demands with the expectations of society, leveraging technological advancements while preserving the indispensable contributions of people.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In the Cooper case, the university did the right thing by refusing to honor the demands of powerful legislators.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Swamped by requests, Club 90s announced a nationwide rollout of its high-energy events, booking more than 150 dance parties over the next two months.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
City officials have typically denied Atmos’ initial rate requests since at least 2019, later negotiating lower amounts through settlements.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Transit Alliance estimates that, in Miami-Dade alone, parking requirements mandate roughly a half-million more parking spaces than are actually needed.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The law was never intended to punish disaster victims, and rigid interpretations that ignore real-world rebuilding requirements undermine both equity and public trust.—
Jeffrey Prang,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The decision to remove McDonald from his director position, place him on leave and investigate came after an internal audit raised concerns over his travel requisitions and advances, TSU President Dwayne Tucker said earlier this year.—
Rachel Wegner,
Nashville Tennessean,
12 Nov. 2025
-
If fewer people resign and land new jobs, there will be less opportunities available, and with fewer job requisitions, there’s less movement overall.—
Vicki Salemi,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ultimatums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ultimatums. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
