after all

adverb

1
: in spite of considerations or expectations to the contrary : nevertheless
decided to take the train after all
didn't rain after all
2
: in view of all circumstances
literature which is after all only a special department of readingW. W. Watt

Examples of after all 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.
Time, after all, was simply the lag between past and future. Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025 The surprise announcement at the end of day, however, was that Messina and Rizzo would be exiting the company, and the show had marked a farewell of sorts for them after all. Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 This is, after all, both a financial and a political decision, and so the decision makers want to tread carefully with this important challenge. Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 This is Long Island after all, the home office to Jets and Mets fans — people conditioned to getting sold a bill of goods. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for after all

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of after all was in 1590

Cite this Entry

“After all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/after%20all. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

after all

adverb
: in spite of what was indicated or expected
decided to go after all
it rained after all

More from Merriam-Webster on after all

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