ultimatum

noun

ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-təm How to pronounce ultimatum (audio)
Definition of ultimatumnext
as in demand
something that someone insists upon having issued the ultimatum that the project be finished by the following week, or it would be terminated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ultimatum That a national symbol could effectively become part of a financial ultimatum reflects only how political this birthday party has become. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 This language also obscures the ultimatums presented to Iran under threat of American force, making coercion sound like collaboration. — Atom Ariola, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026 Whether romantic, professional or creative, be willing to communicate your standards without turning the conversation into an ultimatum. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Their ultimatum quickly drew in other groups with similar agendas, including Operation Dudula – a violent vigilante group known for physically blocking migrants from entering health facilities and schools. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ultimatum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ultimatum
  1. demand
  2. request
  3. requirement
Noun
  • The board unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Hilda Solis, directing county attorneys to send a letter to Lineage Logistics outlining a list of demands and requirements, and asking that the company respond within 48 hours.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 8 July 2026
  • Growing demand is partly driven by the proliferation of temple content on social media, according to Liu.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of demand
Noun
  • The Interior Department did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request when asked on Friday if the panels will be replaced by the July 4 holiday this weekend.
    — Deena Zaru, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • This change was implemented at the request of the state's board of education.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • With low maintenance requirements and fast turnaround, Gripen provides an advanced and cost-effective fighter capability that is easy to operate and maintain, according to the company.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • DAFs carry no legal payout requirement — the dollars are irrevocably committed to charity, but on no particular schedule.
    — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of requirement

Browse Nearby Words

ultimates
ultimatum
ultimatums
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ultimatum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ultimatum. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ultimatum

Nglish: Translation of ultimatum for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All