last-ditch

1 of 2

adjective

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
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Adjective
The Mavericks have seven games left for Flagg to try to make a last-ditch push for the award. Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026 That one was at the end of a session, kind of thing just by myself as a last-ditch effort. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
When her professor, predictably, leaves her high and dry, Margo drops out of college and makes an OnlyFans account as a last ditch effort to get some quick cash. Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026 So Ellison texted Zaslav in what now reads as a last ditch effort to get a deal over the line. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for last-ditch

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of last-ditch was in 1706

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Cite this Entry

“Last-ditch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last-ditch. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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