overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls
Synonyms of overhaulnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to examine thoroughly
Our systems of education are being constantly overhauledSaturday 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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Couple that with the hiring of coach Paul Maurice who overhauled the Panthers’ system to make a high-flying Panthers team more defensively responsible, and Florida was on its way to becoming perennial contenders. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026 Journalists and other employees formed a human chain around the Czech public radio in Prague on Monday as part of a warning strike against a plan by the government to overhaul the funding for public broadcasters. ABC News, 22 June 2026 Sooknanan's order found that federal agencies did not have statutory authority to overhaul SAVE. Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 22 June 2026 Sam's Club has established a rectification task force to overhaul supply-chain inspections and replaced its chairman with Liu Peng, a former executive at Alibaba. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for overhaul

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhaul was in 1705

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Cite this Entry

“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

overhaul

verb
over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
2
overhaul noun

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