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

ə-ˈkrȯs-ṯẖə-ˈbȯrd How to pronounce across-the-board (audio)
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 of across the board

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
Phrase
The president’s poll numbers have been below water across the board, but especially so on foreign policy, where over two-thirds of Americans disapprove of his job performance and support Kyiv’s fight for freedom. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Naturally, the sedan won’t see any significant changes, though all-wheel drive will no longer be offered on the introductory SV trim, while pricing across the board will hike by $210. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Under an across-the-board percentage cut, the early claimant takes another reduction from an already smaller check. — Ray R. Harris, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Social Security faces trust fund depletion dates projected for the next decade that would trigger across-the-board benefit cuts unless lawmakers act sooner. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 Sep. 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

Rhymes for across the board

See All Rhymes for across the board

Browse Nearby Words

across from
across the board
across-the-board
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 22 Oct. 2026.

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