last-ditch

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlas(t)-ˌdich 

-ˈdich

1

: fought or conducted from the last ditch : waged with desperation or unyielding defiance

put up a last-ditch resistance

2

: made as a final effort especially to avert disaster

a last-ditch attempt to raise the money

last ditch

2 of 2

noun

: a place of final defense or resort

Examples of last-ditch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the days leading up to the election, the president even made a last-ditch effort to help Maine’s incumbent Senator, Susan Collins, by pausing duties on Canadian goods from certain critical industries. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

An entire industry that sprang up out of a legal loophole will be due to disappear in Illinois this coming week unless a last-ditch effort to save it is successful. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

Sierra, Rifkin said, pleaded guilty in a last ditch effort to save himself. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Getting over this final hurdle comes after months of delays, including the major antitrust lawsuit from a coalition of 12 states, and even a Hail Mary last ditch amicus brief from a grassroots coalition that sought to block the merger entirely. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above