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
Trump’s ability to increase across-the-board tariffs on goods from South Korea or other countries could be hindered by the outcome of a landmark tariff case currently before the Supreme Court. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026 The other spots are filled out by three of the season’s across-the-board contenders — Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Sinners — setting up what should be a tough race for the trophy. Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026 His first half was an across-the-board beauty, featuring eight points on four of four shooting, four rebounds and eight assists. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026 The use of generative AI and LLMs for mental health advice is ranked as the topmost use of such AI currently on an across-the-board basis (see my assessment of the usage rankings at the link here). Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 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

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 30 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on across the board

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!