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

Scattered at regular intervals throughout the system’s roughly 440 miles of underground track, emergency exit stairwells provide a last-ditch means of getting passengers stranded on a subway out of the system and onto the street. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024

So Biden’s last-ditch effort to keep the US on track to meet global climate goals is more symbolic — seemingly designed to encourage a grassroots movement in defiance of Trump’s national agenda. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 19 Dec. 2024

Noun

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

What to watch: Sullivan is traveling to Israel, Egypt and Qatar this week in a last ditch effort to reach a deal before Trump's inauguration in less than six weeks. —Barak Ravid, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above