ultimatum

American  

[uhl-tuh-mey-tuhm, -mah-] / ˌʌl təˈmeɪ təm, -ˈmɑ- /

noun

plural

ultimatums, ultimata

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.

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ultimatum British  

/ 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

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ultimatum Cultural  

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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Etymology

Origin of ultimatum

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”; see ultimate

Explanation

An ultimatum is a final demand attached to a threat, like "If you don't do it, I'll never speak to you again." Ultimatums are serious business. The noun ultimatum has Latin roots meaning "final" and that's still what the word means today. It is the final demand, usually with an implicit or explicit "or else" attached to it. Often, the person on the receiving end of the ultimatum rebels, however, and will say something like, "Don't give me any ultimatums!"

Example Sentences

His extension last week of an ultimatum on attacking Iranian energy infrastructure did nothing to calm markets, and investors seem to be reacting less to his comments than to tangible news from the Persian Gulf.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 29, 2026

Bush’s 48-hour ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq had just expired.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

The or-else attached to this ultimatum is big.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

The ultimatum came at a Tuesday meeting at the Pentagon that ended in a stalemate, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

“Well, you’re going,” Bull said, his voice chilling into ultimatum.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• warning