across-the-board

adjective

ə-ˈkrȯs-ṯẖə-ˈbȯrd 

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

Synonyms

• blanket
• broad-brush
• common
• general
• generic
• global
• overall
• universal

Examples of across-the-board in a Sentence

an across-the-board reduction in the state's budget because of declining revenues

Recent Examples on the Web

President Donald Trump’s administration imposed across-the-board tariffs on most imports and targeted some countries and industries for additional levies. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2025

Businesses are grappling with 125% tariffs on Chinese imports, 10% across-the-board duties on other trading partners, and the elimination of Section 321 exemptions for low-value e-commerce shipments. —Jessica Mendoza, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

The United States and the United Kingdom unveiled the broad outlines of a trade agreement Thursday, the first sign of a deal since President Donald Trump imposed across-the-board global tariffs in early April. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2025

However, the latest job figures don’t yet reflect the effects on the economy of President Donald Trump’s across-the-board tariffs against America’s trading partners. —Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for across-the-board

• particleboard
• phonorecord
• underinsured
• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard