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
Performances across the board are strong, even if the characterizations themselves are more difficult to embrace. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 The horrifying thought, one Sumrall admitted he’s toyed with, is that Florida remains a step behind SEC competition across the board. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
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 The idea that this could be a school-by-school system raises some red flags; for all its flaws, at least the exam was an across-the-board measure for all students. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 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
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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 14 Oct. 2026.

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