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
My month-long experiment with push-ups took longer than expected, and also didn’t completely overhaul my fitness.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 26 Nov. 2025
After intense negotiations this week with Ukraine and European allies, the draft was reportedly overhauled and pared back to just 19 points, with some of the provisions deemed unacceptable by Kyiv removed.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
The Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act would overhaul the way annual adjustments are calculated, while the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act would temporarily add $200 per month to Social Security payments until July 2026.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Ambiance overhaul First, airport maintenance crews reset the 200 microphone stations in DIA’s three concourses.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Julia Landwehr, Health, 26 Nov. 2025
After intense negotiations this week with Ukraine and European allies, the draft was reportedly overhauled and pared back to just 19 points, with some of the provisions deemed unacceptable by Kyiv removed.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
The Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act would overhaul the way annual adjustments are calculated, while the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act would temporarily add $200 per month to Social Security payments until July 2026.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Ambiance overhaul First, airport maintenance crews reset the 200 microphone stations in DIA’s three concourses.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 25 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 30 Nov. 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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