ultimatum
/ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌʌltəmˈetəm] /ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌʌltəmˈetəm] /ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-təm How to pronounce ultimatum (audio) -ˈmä- How to pronounce ultimatum (audio)/ (ame, mw)
ultimatum — noun
- ultimatumsingular
- ultimatumsplural
1. a last and firm demand that gives the other side a fixed time to agree, with a c
a last and firm demand that gives the other side a fixed time to agree, with a clear warning of what will happen if they refuse
Fatima gave her landlord an ultimatum: fix the broken heater by Friday or she would move out.
give + ultimatum + to + person
The board delivered an ultimatum to the director — raise profits in six months or leave.
deliver + ultimatum + to + person
Dmitri faced an ultimatum from his parents: find a job by summer or move back home.
The union's ultimatum demanded better pay by noon on Monday.
Amara received an ultimatum at the hospital — take the post in Osaka or be let go.
- final demand
a blunter term; lacks the diplomatic weight of 'ultimatum'
- take-it-or-leave-it offer
more informal; used in everyday bargaining rather than serious disputes
- last word
less formal; can refer to any final statement, not necessarily a demand with consequences
- request
asks rather than demands; carries no threat or deadline
- negotiation
a two-sided discussion, not a one-sided final demand
文法句型
give + ultimatum + to + person
ultimatum + that-clause
issue + ultimatum
deliver + ultimatum
用法筆記
Countable noun. The plural can be ultimatums or (in formal writing) ultimata. An ultimatum always has three parts: a demand, a deadline, and a threatened consequence — a simple warning or request is not an ultimatum.