last straw
noun
: the last of a series (as of events or indignities) that brings one beyond the point of endurance
Examples of last straw in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some had long opposed rising authoritarianism, and the invasion was a last straw.
—
Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2023
That was a breaking point last straw for Mack.
—CBS News, 27 Sep. 2022
Waters has given many interviews in recent years that some fans who support Israel and/or Ukraine have considered a last straw.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Feb. 2023
Critics saw this as a last straw, so their rage only intensified when head coach John Harbaugh stood by his offensive staff in his news conference Monday while acknowledging that the Ravens must throw more efficiently.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2022
Could a loss to an unraveling rival be his last straw at UCLA?
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2021
The matter of their fictional son, a private sick joke that’s not supposed to be brought up with outsiders, is the last straw.
—Dallas News, 12 July 2022
For some traders, the recent collapse of the crypto exchange FTX—which is dragging down other firms—was the last straw.
—Gunjan Banerji, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2022
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Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2023
That was a breaking point last straw for Mack.
—CBS News, 27 Sep. 2022
Waters has given many interviews in recent years that some fans who support Israel and/or Ukraine have considered a last straw.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Feb. 2023
Critics saw this as a last straw, so their rage only intensified when head coach John Harbaugh stood by his offensive staff in his news conference Monday while acknowledging that the Ravens must throw more efficiently.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2022
Could a loss to an unraveling rival be his last straw at UCLA?
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2021
The matter of their fictional son, a private sick joke that’s not supposed to be brought up with outsiders, is the last straw.
—Dallas News, 12 July 2022
For some traders, the recent collapse of the crypto exchange FTX—which is dragging down other firms—was the last straw.
—Gunjan Banerji, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'last straw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
from the fable of the last straw that broke the camel's back when added to its burden
First Known Use
1845, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near last straw
Cite this Entry
“Last straw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last%20straw. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
last straw
noun
: the last of a series (as of events or troubles) that causes one to give up or lose patience
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