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
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.
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
The Legislature for years has discussed overhauling the state’s decades-old education funding formula, but lawmakers in recent years have not been able to agree on an approach.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
Executives at Paramount Skydance are eager to overhaul the company’s sales efforts, focusing more intently on unifying the infrastructure underlying its streaming assets, part of a larger mission to compete with digital giants such as Amazon, Google and Netflix.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
But 28 states and Guam did turn over data, according to a USDA spokesperson, and Rollins has been citing statistics from that data in several media appearances in recent weeks as evidence that the food assistance program needs to be overhauled.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
But Cornelius was on the cusp of overhauling his life.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
Executives at Paramount Skydance are eager to overhaul the company’s sales efforts, focusing more intently on unifying the infrastructure underlying its streaming assets, part of a larger mission to compete with digital giants such as Amazon, Google and Netflix.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
But 28 states and Guam did turn over data, according to a USDA spokesperson, and Rollins has been citing statistics from that data in several media appearances in recent weeks as evidence that the food assistance program needs to be overhauled.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
But Cornelius was on the cusp of overhauling his life.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 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 8 Dec. 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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