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
Faced with a ceasefire ultimatum or the prospect of massive new Western sanctions on banking and energy, Putin instead made a counter offer.
—
Charles Maynes, NPR, 13 May 2025
Major League Baseball took full control of its minor leagues and delivered Richmond an ultimatum.
—Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
When Justin’s parents learn about the video, his mother, Dawn (a brilliant Karen Pittman), gives the pair an ultimatum.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 May 2025
The ultimatum comes amid Dash’s ongoing legal dispute with filmmaker Josh Webber over the 2019 movie Dear Frank.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ultimatum
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Charles Maynes, NPR, 13 May 2025
Major League Baseball took full control of its minor leagues and delivered Richmond an ultimatum.
—Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
When Justin’s parents learn about the video, his mother, Dawn (a brilliant Karen Pittman), gives the pair an ultimatum.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 May 2025
The ultimatum comes amid Dash’s ongoing legal dispute with filmmaker Josh Webber over the 2019 movie Dear Frank.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 May 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 3 Jun. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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