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
However, while cautioning her against moving in with her boyfriend and his brother, many expressed that giving an ultimatum is not her only option.
—
Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Musk, after taking over the platform formerly called Twitter in 2022, had issued an ultimatum for employees to either commit to work longer hours or quit and receive three months’ severance.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
In Florio’s world, Fox should have given Brady an ultimatum on his $375 million contract to broadcast games or go own the Raiders.
—Andrew Marchand, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
President Donald Trump issued Russian President Vladimir Putin an ultimatum on Wednesday – make a deal with me to end the Ukraine war or pay a hefty economic price.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ultimatum 
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Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Musk, after taking over the platform formerly called Twitter in 2022, had issued an ultimatum for employees to either commit to work longer hours or quit and receive three months’ severance.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
In Florio’s world, Fox should have given Brady an ultimatum on his $375 million contract to broadcast games or go own the Raiders.
—Andrew Marchand, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
President Donald Trump issued Russian President Vladimir Putin an ultimatum on Wednesday – make a deal with me to end the Ukraine war or pay a hefty economic price.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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
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