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

Mayor Lori Lightfoot more vocally opposed pension sweeteners during her term, including a last-ditch attempt to convince Pritzker to veto firefighter pension legislation that was projected to add between $18 million and $30 million to the city’s annual bill. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025

And environmental nonprofit Mighty Earth, which has been fighting to delay the listing for the past two years, filed a last-ditch attempt to stop the listing earlier this week. —Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 11 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