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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The mayor’s heavy spending could be viewed as a last-ditch effort to improve his approval ratings and reelection hopes in the face of rock-bottom favorability from New York City residents. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2025 With his back facing home plate and completely turned away from the ball, Varsho quickly got himself back onto one knee and stuck his glove behind his back in a last-ditch effort to make a play. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
Bankers see a 'last ditch effort' by CFPB Bankers defended the safety of the Zelle app, and said the CFPB was overreaching in its actions. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024 As a last ditch effort, Sunnova in early March borrowed $185 million from KKR at a 15% interest rate, secured by most of the company’s remaining valuable assets, including years of future residual cash flows from those ABS issues. Christopher Helman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Last-ditch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last-ditch. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!