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
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare 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
In its last set of rights deals struck for a 11-year period starting with the 2022 season, the NFL won the right to overhaul its contracts and seek better terms after 2029.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Nathan Click, Newsom’s campaign spokesperson, pointed towards Newsom’s support in July 2001 of a local San Francisco charter amendment, Proposition G, overhauling local redistricting and ensuring that the process reflected census population changes and neighborhood diversity.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The directives, delivered via a set of four executive orders, set ambitious goals, such as having 10 new large reactors under construction by 2030, and overhauling the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
—Daniel Stout, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Aug. 2025
The Mets brought in three relievers to overhaul their bullpen, plus a new center fielder in Cedric Mullins.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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.
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Nathan Click, Newsom’s campaign spokesperson, pointed towards Newsom’s support in July 2001 of a local San Francisco charter amendment, Proposition G, overhauling local redistricting and ensuring that the process reflected census population changes and neighborhood diversity.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The directives, delivered via a set of four executive orders, set ambitious goals, such as having 10 new large reactors under construction by 2030, and overhauling the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
—Daniel Stout, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Aug. 2025
The Mets brought in three relievers to overhaul their bullpen, plus a new center fielder in Cedric Mullins.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share