overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl 

overhauled; overhauling; overhauls

transitive verb

1

a

: to examine thoroughly

Our systems of education are being constantly overhauled …

—Saturday Rev.

b(1)

: repair

The mechanic overhauled the engine.

(2)

: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly

The town librarians are overhauling the summer reading 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.

overhaul

ˈō-vər-ˌhȯl 

noun

Synonyms of overhaul

• catch
• overtake
• chase
• reach
• pursue

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

Supporters of the law contended that Maryland needed to overhaul its tax methods in response to significant changes in how businesses advertise. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Ford said today that its next-generation electric vehicle — recently dubbed Fathom — will go into production at the automaker’s recently overhauled Louisville Assembly Plant in the first quarter of 2027. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026

Zhu tamed rampant inflation, overhauled the currency system and weathered the Chinese economy through Asia’s financial crisis in 1997. — Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Meta followed by spending billions of dollars to overhaul its AI unit, installing Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang as the division's leader. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overhaul

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids 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

2

: overtake sense 1a

overhaul

ˈō-vər-ˌhȯl 

noun