eleventh hour

noun

Synonyms of eleventh hournext
: the latest possible time before it is too late
still making changes at the eleventh hour

Examples of eleventh hour 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.
And the work starts now, not at the eleventh hour. — Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 The Board also addressed an eleventh hour financial reprieve from a donor, which will be able to keep Roycemore open through the end of the academic year. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026 After all, there are so many things to paint in a kitchen, from cabinets to walls to trim, and making a painting mistake after everything is installed in the kitchen can ruin the final look in the eleventh hour. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 7 Apr. 2026 Honda was planning on building its new Zero Series family of EVs in Ohio before pulling the plug on the program at the eleventh hour. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for eleventh hour

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eleventh hour was in 1772

Rhymes for eleventh hour

See All Rhymes for eleventh hour

Browse Nearby Words

eleventh chord
eleventh hour
elevon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eleventh hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eleventh%20hour. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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