across the board

1 of 2

phrase

Synonyms of across the boardnext
: so as to include or affect all classes or categories
cut spending across the board
also : in all areas or respects
considered an average player across the board

across-the-board

2 of 2

adjective

1
: placed to win if a competitor wins, places, or shows
an across-the-board racing bet
2
: embracing or affecting all classes or categories : blanket
an across-the-board price increase

Examples of across the board in a Sentence

Adjective an across-the-board reduction in the state's budget because of declining revenues
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.
Adjective
State employees will get no across-the-board pay raise, which becomes a pay cut when inflation is considered. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026 As part of the deals, there won't be an across-the-board 3% raise for state workers as the Senate preferred, but corrections officers, state law enforcement officials and firefighters will receive a 4% raise. CBS News, 23 May 2026 Then, it would be reduced further by an across-the-board cut. Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 There could be a confluence of events helping fuel that brand of across-the-board thievery. Chad Jennings, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for across the board

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1946, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of across the board was in 1945

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Across the board.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/across%20the%20board. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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