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 firm has overhauled the liquidity terms in one of its funds, Blue Owl Capital Corporation II, restricting investors’ ability to withdraw their money.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The Legislature is seeking to overhaul Florida’s voucher program with the goal of not only making sure students are funded properly, but also safeguarding taxpayer money — more than $4 billion of state funds go into sustaining the universal voucher program.
—Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Germán Berterame arrives with ambition, there will be a full year of Rodrigo de Paul, the defense has been overhauled and the attacking options are young and exciting.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Technologies, a defense contractor, is overhauling and upgrading it.
—George Petras, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Hugh Leask, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The Legislature is seeking to overhaul Florida’s voucher program with the goal of not only making sure students are funded properly, but also safeguarding taxpayer money — more than $4 billion of state funds go into sustaining the universal voucher program.
—Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Germán Berterame arrives with ambition, there will be a full year of Rodrigo de Paul, the defense has been overhauled and the attacking options are young and exciting.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Technologies, a defense contractor, is overhauling and upgrading it.
—George Petras, USA Today, 19 Feb. 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 1 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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