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
Supporters of the measure see this legal challenge as a last-ditch attempt to defy voter intentions. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Former President Donald Trump jumped around to North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan on Monday, while Vice President Kamala Harris journeyed through Pennsylvania in a last-ditch effort to secure the crucial swing state. Kristian Burt, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
In the parking lot of the East Palo Alto Family YMCA, city council candidates stood flagging down prospective voters, a last ditch effort to garner votes. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024 Hunter Harris: Suggesting that Democrats, as sort of a last ditch effort to save democracy, nominate Mitt Romney. Leah Feiger, WIRED, 16 Aug. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near last-ditch

last day

last-ditch

last ditch

Cite this Entry

“Last-ditch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last-ditch. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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