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.
He’s still tied with Draisaitl for the playoff scoring race with 33 points, after all. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 16 June 2025 Golf innovation, after all, can often be a game of follow-the-leader. Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Then on June 11, President Trump seemingly reversed course, posting on social media that as part of a yet-unsigned trade and tariff deal negotiated with China, Chinese students could stay here after all. Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025 Bedding is not a mattress, after all, and expertise does not always transfer across endeavors. Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 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 20 Jun. 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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