Hail Mary

[heyl mer-ee, mair-ee] / ˈheɪl ˈmɛr i, ˈmɛər i /

NOUN

last-ditch effort

Synonyms

WEAK

Ave Maria Hail Mary pass Hail Mary play ave last-minute pass

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.

When he arrived in Arizona, a care package awaited him at the local Wal-Mart.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

A Wal-Mart delivery truck turns sharply toward a Pizza Hut.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2025

The Wal-Mart exclusive package includes an enamel pin shaped as a crystal ball and in front of a black top hat with spindly fingers reaching around the orb.

From Washington Times • Oct. 26, 2023

Wal-Mart and Amazon, among the larger retailers that sold the drops, did not respond to requests for comment.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2023

In orientation, we learned that the store’s success depends entirely on us, the associates; in fact, our bright blue vests bear the statement “At Wal-Mart, our people make the difference.”

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich