ultimatum
noun
ul·ti·ma·tum
ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-təm 
-ˈmä-
-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
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
After several months of toiling in secret, Dr. Walpole gave ICI an ultimatum.
—
Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
After being disappointed by Vi one time too many, the Queen decides to test her daughter’s mettle once and for all and issues an ultimatum: Vi must pass a vigorous leadership boot camp in Colorado or lose the throne to her uncle.
—EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024
The letter is the clearest ultimatum yet to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government since the Gaza conflict began a year ago, raising the prospect of a shift in Washington's support for Israel.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024
Fox told the Times that West issued her an ultimatum toward the end of their relationship.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ultimatum 
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.
Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
After being disappointed by Vi one time too many, the Queen decides to test her daughter’s mettle once and for all and issues an ultimatum: Vi must pass a vigorous leadership boot camp in Colorado or lose the throne to her uncle.
—EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024
The letter is the clearest ultimatum yet to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government since the Gaza conflict began a year ago, raising the prospect of a shift in Washington's support for Israel.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024
Fox told the Times that West issued her an ultimatum toward the end of their relationship.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ultimatum
Articles Related to ultimatum
Dictionary Entries Near ultimatum
Cite this Entry
“Ultimatum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultimatum. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ultimatum
noun
ul·ti·ma·tum
ˌəl-tə-ˈmāt-əm
-ˈmät-
-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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share