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.
We were bullied, after all, by the older teenagers who beat us on a regular basis, bloodied our mouths with one punch. Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025 Both financial health and personal relationships, after all, are on the line. JSTOR Daily, 27 Oct. 2025 The Beckhams did, after all, attend their wedding, and Markle was frequently seen in Victoria Beckham’s designs during her time as a working royal, including for her engagement photos. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 27 Oct. 2025 Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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