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
: a place of final defense or resort
Examples of last-ditch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The Kings also went away empty-handed on Adrian Kempe’s last-ditch drive to the net in the dying embers of overtime.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
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Adjective
But diplomatic efforts hit a major obstacle on Monday after neither side agreed to a last-ditch proposal for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, drafted by countries working to end the war.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The Kings also went away empty-handed on Adrian Kempe’s last-ditch drive to the net in the dying embers of overtime.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Last-ditch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last-ditch. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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