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
The union is seeking an immediate 16% raise for new teachers, an across-the-board 3% raise in the contract’s second year and significant automatic pay hikes tied to years of experience and continued education. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026 Union leaders have argued that Kaiser can afford across-the-board wage increases given its $66 billion in reserves. Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026 Hall said in a tight budget year, an across-the-board pay raise is going to be a high hurdle. Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoman, 15 Feb. 2026 That new system more accurately captures the full audience picture — if resulting in across-the-board, higher-than-historical numbers for a range of sports TV properties over the past six months. Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for across the board

Word History

First Known Use

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

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Cite this Entry

“Across the board.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/across%20the%20board. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

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