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Showing results for last resort.
Definitions

last resort

NOUN
a final recourse
Synonyms
WEAK
ace in the hole card up one's sleeve dernier ressort last expedient last hope last resource pis aller recourse resort trump card
ADJECTIVE
last-ditch
Synonyms
STRONG
eleventh-hour final last-ditch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Quiet professionals understand that violence is risky and costly, and use it only as a last resort.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

A last resort would be a conservatorship, which is an involuntary process and takes place when a person is unable to take care of their finances.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The government can elect to expressly be a buyer of last resort by only supporting suppliers when demand is weak, thus promoting more consistent production.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

He said users often claim removing contact with family members is now becoming a trend - but Ben believes becoming estranged is the "last resort" for many.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

As the city’s principal public hospital, Cook County was the place of last resort for the hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans without health insurance.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell