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
Trump signed an executive order last year to overhaul elections, including eliminating grace periods for mailed ballots received after Election Day.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Unions and businesses Brin’s committee is also supporting a proposal from the California Chamber of Commerce to overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act, a significant law that requires environmental review and public input on new development and infrastructure projects.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Medical organizations have put out their own vaccine guidelines, for example, after Kennedy overhauled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
Jordan Molina, director of Maui County’s Department of Public Works, said the county was working to overhaul drainage systems and make the area’s infrastructure more resilient, but that the recent storm would have strained any system.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Unions and businesses Brin’s committee is also supporting a proposal from the California Chamber of Commerce to overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act, a significant law that requires environmental review and public input on new development and infrastructure projects.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Medical organizations have put out their own vaccine guidelines, for example, after Kennedy overhauled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
Jordan Molina, director of Maui County’s Department of Public Works, said the county was working to overhaul drainage systems and make the area’s infrastructure more resilient, but that the recent storm would have strained any system.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
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 Mar. 2026.
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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