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View synonyms for ultimatum

ultimatum

[ uhl-tuh-mey-tuhm, -mah- ]

noun

, plural ul·ti·ma·tums, ul·ti·ma·ta [uhl-t, uh, -, mey, -t, uh, -, mah, -].
  1. a final, uncompromising demand or set of terms issued by a party to a dispute, the rejection of which may lead to a severance of relations or to the use of force.
  2. a final proposal or statement of conditions.


ultimatum

/ ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm /

noun

  1. a final communication by a party, esp a government, setting forth conditions on which it insists, as during negotiations on some topic
  2. any final or peremptory demand, offer, or proposal
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


ultimatum

  1. A formal message delivered from one government to another threatening war if the receiving government fails to comply with conditions set forth in the message. For example, after the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand in 1914, the government of Austria sent an ultimatum to Serbia, which Austria held responsible for the assassination.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimatum1

First recorded in 1725–35; from New Latin, noun use of neuter of Late Latin ultimātus “ended, finished,” past participle of ultimāre “to come to an end”; ultimate
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimatum1

C18: from New Latin, neuter of ultimatus ultimate
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Example Sentences

Classical Academies CEO Cameron Curry called teachers’ interpretation of his message as an ultimatum a “misunderstanding” and said teachers would not be fired or removed for choosing not to return to the classroom.

The answer to your brother is that you really want to love your sister-in-law as you know he does, “but her ultimatums about the ex make it a challenge.”

I hardly want to issue a "weed or me" ultimatum — and I am not even anti-weed.

Facebook executives approached Ali Partovi, the creator of a popular app that used Facebook’s data, a decade ago with a threatening ultimatum.

This ultimatum shouldn’t be forced upon often-underpaid waiters, line cooks, and dishwashers.

From Eater

Obama would then give Congress an ultimatum: Act by a certain date, perhaps a hundred days into the new Congress, or he will.

And so Scheunemann offered an ultimatum: Kick Spencer out, or he would leave.

So Giles issues Ellie an ultimatum: Find Matthew Smith and write a killer story, or find yourself a new job.

This is an ultimatum seeking a target in the disorienting matrix of asymmetric warfare.

Putin said there had been no ultimatum for Ukrainian forces to surrender, as was widely reported Monday.

The manhood of Homestead rebelled: the millmen scorned the despotic ultimatum.

On receiving this ultimatum, the magistrates asked for time to communicate with the Elector and the King of England.

But, probably realising the futility of such a course, he changed his mind, and delivered an ultimatum from the top step.

After favouring me with his ultimatum, the Vicomte looked at me expectantly.

On the 9th of October, 1899, the Transvaal Government presented an ultimatum.

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