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

In a year when President Trump won the popular vote and Republicans flipped four states in the Senate, Democrats tightened the House majority by a single seat thanks to deep pockets and a last-ditch effort to prevent a Republican trifecta. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025

As a result, despite his focused attention and earnest efforts at arbitration, in 2000, Clinton’s last-ditch attempt to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal at the Camp David Summit failed. —Peter L. Hahn / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

Noun

McTavish nearly completed his first career hat trick into the empty net, but a last ditch effort by former Duck Rickard Rakell forced his one-handed shot attempt into the post. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 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