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
Ten days before Christmas feels, to him, like an ultimatum.
—
Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
The Gila River Indian Community, which holds a powerful water claim, issued an ultimatum that led to the release of the payments meant to support conservation efforts along the vital waterway.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Babcock issued her an agonizing ultimatum: either come up with the team now, or go down with Wilcox.
—Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
Zimmer was fired by the Cubs early in ’91 after giving his Tribune Co. bosses an ultimatum on a contract extension.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
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.
Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
The Gila River Indian Community, which holds a powerful water claim, issued an ultimatum that led to the release of the payments meant to support conservation efforts along the vital waterway.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Babcock issued her an agonizing ultimatum: either come up with the team now, or go down with Wilcox.
—Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
Zimmer was fired by the Cubs early in ’91 after giving his Tribune Co. bosses an ultimatum on a contract extension.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ultimatum
Cite this Entry
“Ultimatum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultimatum. Accessed 29 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share