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.
However, in the days since, Young apparently had a change of heart as the BBC revealed Saturday that his Pyramid Stage set will livestream after all. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025 Last year was, after all, the center’s first season playing pro basketball and just fourth in the sport overall. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025 Villeneuve, whose other films include Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, is not exactly known for being sunny — so Goode's vision may come to life onscreen after all. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 June 2025 The production design might have set him within a post-apocalyptic landscape, but this was going to be a friendly, feel-good dystopia after all. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 June 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 1 Jul. 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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