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
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted to step back from their lives as working royals, the Duke of Sussex was met with an ultimatum by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, according to a new royal biography.
—
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
Readers also learn how Aunt Lydia came to be a stern Gilead watchdog, rounded up from her past career as a judge and given an ultimatum.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Trump has issued ultimatums to Iran before, only to find ways to back off.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2026
Trump had issued a similar two-day ultimatum to Iran on March 21, only to extend the deadline to April 6.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ultimatum
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
Readers also learn how Aunt Lydia came to be a stern Gilead watchdog, rounded up from her past career as a judge and given an ultimatum.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Trump has issued ultimatums to Iran before, only to find ways to back off.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2026
Trump had issued a similar two-day ultimatum to Iran on March 21, only to extend the deadline to April 6.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ultimatum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ultimatum
Noun
-
Renewable energy Iggo is also keen on renewable energy, citing a recovery in stocks this year, driven by the massive demand for electricity coming from the AI trade, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.—
Michael Considine,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
Go into the conversation with curiosity rather than demands.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In February, opponents packed the City Hall chambers ahead of a planned Historic Preservation Board meeting, which was ultimately deferred at the Fontainebleau’s request after one of the board members didn’t show up.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Virginia’s Democratic attorney general, Jay Jones, urged the state Supreme Court to pause the lower court’s order and allow certification of the election to resume, a request the commonwealth’s high court denied on Tuesday.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The spokesperson noted that the pilot had completed all mandatory medical examinations in compliance with regulatory requirements and held a Class I medical certification.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The information provided is crucial in identifying whether the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ultimatum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ultimatum. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
