last-ditch

1 of 2

adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Mark Mitchell missed two free throws and Florida’s last-ditch 3-point attempt missed. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2026 Outside of the courts, Mastro was coming up with a new last-ditch scheme. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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 Forget the flimsy strips of aluminum around the edges of the pie as a last ditch effort. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for last-ditch

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of last-ditch was in 1706

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Cite this Entry

“Last-ditch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last-ditch. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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