resort
n. C / Un. the last thing you do to solve a problem when all your other plans have failed. You use this when you have no other choices left.
n. the final course of action or resource available when all other options have been exhausted. Often used in the fixed phrase 'as a last resort'.
We will use force only as a last resort.
The government considered raising taxes a last resort, preferring to cut spending across all departments first.
Diplomatic sanctions are often viewed as a final resort before military intervention, serving as a critical signal that peaceful negotiations have reached their limit.
From Middle English resorten, from Old French resortir (“to fall back, return, resort, have recourse, appeal”), back-formation from sortir (“to go out”).
From re- + sort.
From French ressort.
Commonly appears in the prepositional phrase 'as a last resort'. When referring to a vacation spot, it is countable; in the sense of 'recourse', it is often uncountable.