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
Four times a year, the crew overhauls the seasonal drink menu.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
This plodding approach is why NASA’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, overhauled the Artemis program in February.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
With nearly all of the 10 million Indians who live in the Gulf sticking it out during the conflict with Iran, efforts by New Delhi to overhaul the rights of its workers abroad are falling short of what is needed, according to the Indian news outlet Scroll.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The shooting prompted protests over police use of force, and calls for the police to halt foot pursuits altogether until the department completely overhauls its foot chase policy.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
This plodding approach is why NASA’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, overhauled the Artemis program in February.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
With nearly all of the 10 million Indians who live in the Gulf sticking it out during the conflict with Iran, efforts by New Delhi to overhaul the rights of its workers abroad are falling short of what is needed, according to the Indian news outlet Scroll.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The shooting prompted protests over police use of force, and calls for the police to halt foot pursuits altogether until the department completely overhauls its foot chase policy.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 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 1 Apr. 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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