ultimatum

noun

ul·​ti·​ma·​tum ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-təm How to pronounce ultimatum (audio) -ˈmä- How to pronounce ultimatum (audio)
plural ultimatums or ultimata ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-tə How to pronounce ultimatum (audio)
-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 The ultimatum was salient given that Tesla’s monstrous valuation is at least partly based on hopes that Musk would eventually move the company beyond cars to make it into a technology juggernaut. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 The three dozen eyewitnesses CNN spoke with from across Jazira, including survivors and the families of victims, say refusing the RSF’s ultimatum comes at the cost of food, home and safety. Pallabi Munsi, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 The ultimatum drew widespread condemnation, even from within the hard-right government. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2024 Young initially spoke out against the false claims Rogan made about vaccines and COVID-19 in January 2022, offering an ultimatum to Spotify that the streamer either needed to remove The Joe Rogan Experience or his music. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 But they're accused of taking their scheme a step further and giving their target an ultimatum: pay them cash or get reported to police. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Although some franchisees do agree that remodels are necessary to improve business, Chidsey’s ultimatum and the sheer cost of the remodel could prevent many operators from moving forward. Angela L. Pagán, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Operation Ceasefire sought to negotiate de-escalations to gun violence between warring gangs by offering an ultimatum: either stop retaliating against each other and instead be connected with mentorship and jobs and education opportunities, or face strong prosecution. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The former police officer, now the country’s most powerful gang leader, has issued Henry an ultimatum: resign or face a civil war. Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ultimatum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, neuter of ultimatus final

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ultimatum was in 1731

Dictionary Entries Near ultimatum

Cite this Entry

“Ultimatum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultimatum. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ultimatum

noun
ul·​ti·​ma·​tum ˌəl-tə-ˈmāt-əm How to pronounce ultimatum (audio) -ˈmät- How to pronounce ultimatum (audio)
plural ultimatums or ultimata -ə How to pronounce ultimatum (audio)
: a demand that if rejected will bring about an end of peaceful talks and could lead to forceful action

More from Merriam-Webster on ultimatum

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