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

Norman says there was no specific deal struck between Trump, the speaker and the hard-line holdouts -- even after a high-stakes, last-ditch meeting at the White House Wednesday. —Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 22 May 2025

Though Bellini had clearly already arrived at the veterinary clinic, his last-ditch effort to escape the appointment struck a chord online. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 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