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
On Iran, Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Tehran agree to a new nuclear deal within two months or face potential military strikes.
—
Dave Lawler, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t giving Aaron Rodgers an ultimatum.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
A day after consulting with the former king, the protesters on Thursday gave the government an ultimatum: Restore the monarchy or face intensifying protests.
—Bhadra Sharma, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Part of Breslow’s comeback plan included a controversial $450 million funding scheme, announced last August, in which investors faced a 48-hour ultimatum to match their earlier investment or face 70% of their shares effectively being wiped out.
—Iain Martin, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ultimatum
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Dave Lawler, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t giving Aaron Rodgers an ultimatum.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
A day after consulting with the former king, the protesters on Thursday gave the government an ultimatum: Restore the monarchy or face intensifying protests.
—Bhadra Sharma, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Part of Breslow’s comeback plan included a controversial $450 million funding scheme, announced last August, in which investors faced a 48-hour ultimatum to match their earlier investment or face 70% of their shares effectively being wiped out.
—Iain Martin, Forbes, 13 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 16 Apr. 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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