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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 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.
The Douglas County Coroner will identify those deceased after all the families have been notified. Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2025 More research, after all, would not guarantee deployment. Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025 The family came into the spotlight in September 2024 after all five family members were hospitalized after eating poisonous, wild mushrooms found in the forest, CNN and Reuters reported. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025 Anyone can write to Santa, after all. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 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 27 Nov. 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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