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
Vought argued in it that the White House needed to take a more activist approach to cutting spending and overhauling the federal workforce.
—Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
But Betts, who has endured a difficult season up until this point, hit three doubles on the night to help overhaul the result and continue the Dodgers on a path to a World Series repeat.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Playing a facilitating role was Marc Rowan, CEO of the private equity giant Apollo Global Management, who assembled conservative scholars, academics and policymakers in 2024 to produce a document on overhauling higher education.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
But the company overhauled that method in early 2024, lowering the rate export credit rate and replacing what was known as net monthly billing with real-time net billing.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Oct. 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.
Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
But Betts, who has endured a difficult season up until this point, hit three doubles on the night to help overhaul the result and continue the Dodgers on a path to a World Series repeat.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Playing a facilitating role was Marc Rowan, CEO of the private equity giant Apollo Global Management, who assembled conservative scholars, academics and policymakers in 2024 to produce a document on overhauling higher education.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
But the company overhauled that method in early 2024, lowering the rate export credit rate and replacing what was known as net monthly billing with real-time net billing.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 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