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
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Adjective
The union is focused on 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, 31 Jan. 2026 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 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 7 Feb. 2026.

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