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 city took notice and overhauled outreach contracts to reward permanent placements.
—Barbara A. Blair, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Outright pace helped Kirkwood, who started seventh, overcome a tepid final pit stop and overhaul Palou down the stretch.
—John Sturbin, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
For starters, the proliferation of the 3-point shot overhauled individual scoring dynamics.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
After test audiences didn’t respond well to the film, the movie was heavily overhauled, and director Adrian Molina departed the project.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Barbara A. Blair, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Outright pace helped Kirkwood, who started seventh, overcome a tepid final pit stop and overhaul Palou down the stretch.
—John Sturbin, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
For starters, the proliferation of the 3-point shot overhauled individual scoring dynamics.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
After test audiences didn’t respond well to the film, the movie was heavily overhauled, and director Adrian Molina departed the project.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 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 20 Mar. 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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