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’s executive order is the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy battle to overhaul the accrediting industry.
—Collin Binkley and Jocelyn Gecker, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The Trump White House has overhauled the Oval Office with striking new gold trimming on portrait frames and tables.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Mellon and Duke overhauled their giving goals in accidental lockstep, with many of their changes hitting simultaneously in 2024.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
While former President Joe Biden’s administration was relatively aggressive with antitrust lawsuits, current President Trump has dramatically overhauled the Justice Department.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Collin Binkley and Jocelyn Gecker, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The Trump White House has overhauled the Oval Office with striking new gold trimming on portrait frames and tables.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Mellon and Duke overhauled their giving goals in accidental lockstep, with many of their changes hitting simultaneously in 2024.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
While former President Joe Biden’s administration was relatively aggressive with antitrust lawsuits, current President Trump has dramatically overhauled the Justice Department.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 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 3 May. 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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