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
The Netherlands is overhauling its pensions to adapt to an aging population and a labor market where people no longer remain with the same employer for their entire working lives.
—Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 2 Jan. 2026
The equipment reignited concerns about the antiquated air traffic control system, leading Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to announce an accelerated timeline to overhaul the entire air traffic control system by 2028.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2025
So, refuelling periods are often used to overhaul systems as well.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
After the San Diego Wave’s front office overhauled the club’s roster, trading and selling its superstars in the wake of Alex Morgan’s retirement, just one household name remained.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 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.
Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 2 Jan. 2026
The equipment reignited concerns about the antiquated air traffic control system, leading Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to announce an accelerated timeline to overhaul the entire air traffic control system by 2028.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2025
So, refuelling periods are often used to overhaul systems as well.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
After the San Diego Wave’s front office overhauled the club’s roster, trading and selling its superstars in the wake of Alex Morgan’s retirement, just one household name remained.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 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 4 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share