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 — 名詞

  • ultimatumsingular
  • ultimatumsplural

1. a last and firm demand that gives the other side a fixed time to agree, with a c

1.名詞B2
釋義

最後通牒

限期內必須回應的最後要求，否則將面臨後果

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

例句

Fatima gave her landlord an ultimatum: fix the broken heater by Friday or she would move out.

Fatima 給房東下了最後通牒：在星期五之前修好暖氣，否則她就搬走。

give + ultimatum + to + person

The board delivered an ultimatum to the director — raise profits in six months or leave.

董事會向總監下達最後通牒：六個月內提升利潤，否則就離職。

deliver + ultimatum + to + person

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌He gave me an ultimatum demand.
✅He gave me an ultimatum.
💡ultimatum is already a demand; do not use it as an adjective.
❌The ultimatum, we went home early.
✅Ultimately, we went home early.
💡ultimatum and ultimately are different words with different meanings.