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

The move would overhaul how federal money is allocated to science—a similar rule change was already proposed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which garnered significant criticism from scientists and national science organizations. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026

The same company will find itself with two studios, two large-scale news operations and two general entertainment streaming services, among other assets, and an extensive org chart to overhaul. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026

Specifically, it will be strengthened against small drone attacks; this will be part of a larger program to overhaul security at many of the nation’s spaceports. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026

Proposition 5 would overhaul how successors are picked during recall elections, something California politicians have frequently faced in recent years. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 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