ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary BuilderWordsUultimatum
ISEE/SSATmedium
ultimatum
Meaning: a final demand that, if rejected, will lead to serious consequences
ultimatum in a sentence
How ultimatum is used in real sentences:
The landlord gave the tenants an ultimatum to pay the rent or leave by Friday.
When negotiations stalled again, the union delivered an ultimatum: accept the new contract or workers would strike Monday.
“Finally, the producer delivered an ultimatum: replace the door by Friday, or the delayed opening would cost everyone a performance.”
— from the passage The Turning Walls
Where it comes from
From Latin ultimus 'last, final'
Word parts
- ultim — final, end
ultimatum: ultim (final) + -atum (noun ending)
Memory hook
ULTIMA (last) + TUM — the last demand before consequences.