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ultimatum

ultimatum

143 7.6
A final demand that someone must do something or face serious consequences
  • noun
  • /ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/
  • Formal
: ultimátum
  • They made us stand for six hours out there... until finally von Scherbach came out and gave us his ultimatum.
  • issue an ultimatum
  • deliver an ultimatum
  • present an ultimatum

You giving him an ultimatum takes away that power.

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Examples

  • I have given Alexandra an ultimatum: she has until commencement day to decide if she wants to marry me.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I had to give them an ultimatum: give me Wednesdays off unpaid or I'll quit.

    Academic text (2015)
  • You giving him an ultimatum takes away that power.

  • Hey, did she give you the ultimatum yet?

  • France said yes, but Germany did not respond, so Britain eventually sent an ultimatum of her own.

  • You should give him an ultimatum.

  • The British and French issue an ultimatum to both sides to withdraw armed forces from the Canal area.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • We cannot guarantee the lives of foreign nationals after the expiry of this ultimatum.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Greece did not comply with Mussolini's harsh ultimatum of 29 August, which she deemed humiliating.

    Academic text (1995)
  • He gave her an ultimatum that she must decide by the end of the week.

Synonyms

take it or leave it
vsultimatum
  • Informal
9 4.6

An offer you cannot change that you must accept or refuse

includes a threat of retaliation or relationship breakdown if terms are rejected

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Say you will do something to help someone

∞ 1.0

To ask for something politely or formally

How Forceful

ultimatum
  • Formal
143 7.6
threat
∞ 1.9
to demand
311 2.1
to request
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

ultimatum singular
ultimata plural

Etymology

Ultimatum comes from the Latin word ultimus, meaning 'last', and it shares the same root as ultimate. So an ultimatum is a final demand — the 'last' offer before serious action or a break in a relationship.