after all

adverb

Synonyms of after allnext
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 reading.W. 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.
Even the fans who thought a playoff appearance was possible — a new coach and a lot of young talent spark hope, after all — didn’t imagine a first-round victory and strong play in the second round were within reach this season. Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 9 May 2026 Not that Frankel wasn’t on board for a sequel to the haute-couture comedy in theory — the 2006 film made $326 million at the box office, after all — but all the stars had to align for another movie to make sense, beginning with the return of Meryl Streep as Miranda. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026 Though what, after all, is time to a cartoon? Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 In the face of shooting and shooting-up deaths, if permanent gates — which are, after all, only a physical manifestation of the existing curfew — will deter mischief and malfeasance post-midnight, then my vote is to lock it up. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“After all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/after%20all. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

after all

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

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