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.
Marvel’s First Family might not save the day after all. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025 Maybe father and son aren’t exactly the same after all. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 1 Aug. 2025 Well, apparently the head injury was not so minor after all. Rachel Handler, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025 That’s kind of the whole deal with artificial intelligence, after all. Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 22 July 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 6 Aug. 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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