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ultimatum

ultimatum

143 7.6
A final demand that someone must do something or face serious consequences
  • noun
  • /ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/
  • Formal
translation icon : 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.