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

Alan Garber, Harvard’s president, rebuked the government’s ultimatum, which directed the university to overhaul its admissions, hiring and teaching practices – or risk losing billions in federal funding. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025

President Donald Trump issued a new ultimatum to China on Monday, threatening to impose a 50% tariff on Chinese goods unless the country rescinds its retaliatory tariffs. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Higher education institutions are far from the only ones getting obey-or-suffer ultimatums from the administration. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025

In the final video tape, Elizabeth congratulated Alex on completing the list and promised not to give her anymore ultimatums. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 31 Mar. 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