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

Richards made a fantastic tackle in the 31s minute, sprinting back and making a last-ditch slide tackle to block Abdulrahman Al-Obood’s effort and keep the game scoreless. —Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 20 June 2025

The judge made no mention of the defense team’s last-ditch move to end the case until she was asked about it by Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Natalie Snyder. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025

Noun

The lie here is senseless, not made as a last ditch effort to keep his relationship with Ellie intact. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above