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

Concerns about Trump’s ability to carry out his duties have grown so voluble that there are now competing efforts to either invoke the 25th amendment or compel him to resign in a last-ditch effort to contain the damage. —John Whitehead, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026

Shortly before the Chiefs announced their move, LeVota floated a last-ditch financial proposal that would have created a new sales tax to fund a new stadium. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026

Noun

But his last ditch attempt to flee to safety would fail. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above