overhaul
verb
over·haul
ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl 
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls
1
a
: to examine thoroughly
our systems of education are being constantly overhauled—
Saturday Rev.
Saturday Rev.
b(1)
: repair
The mechanic overhauled the engine.
(2)
: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
2
: to haul or drag over
3
: overtake
The most imposing U.S. swimmer was overhauled by a 17-year-old Australian in the butterfly race.
Examples of overhaul in a Sentence
The mechanic overhauled the car's engine.
They had to overhaul their original plans.
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump also has overhauled the Oval Office with gold trimmings, put 88-foot-tall flagpoles on the north and south lawn of the White House and is working on a bathroom in the Lincoln Bedroom.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Businesses and governments don’t need to overhaul everything overnight.
—Maeson Maherry, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The Tigers overhauled their offense via the portal, signing quarterback Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma), receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (Georgia Tech) and offensive tackles Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech) and Mason Murphy (USC).
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
The Education Department took aim at nonprofits or government bodies that work with immigrants and transgender youth, releasing plans to overhaul the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Businesses and governments don’t need to overhaul everything overnight.
—Maeson Maherry, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The Tigers overhauled their offense via the portal, signing quarterback Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma), receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (Georgia Tech) and offensive tackles Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech) and Mason Murphy (USC).
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
The Education Department took aim at nonprofits or government bodies that work with immigrants and transgender youth, releasing plans to overhaul the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
Cite this Entry
“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhaul
verb
over·haul
ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
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