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
Many had voiced their opposition to overhauling the recommendations, pointing to data showing the current policy had helped dramatically reduce cases of hepatitis B.
—Will Stone, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Digital transformation is not just about the mechanics of overhauling systems.
—Kerry Brown, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Countertops can easily be replaced without overhauling the whole kitchen.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
The Kimmel standoff also comes as Nexstar is pushing hard for the FCC to overhaul its existing limits on TV station ownership in order to allow Nexstar to acquire a rival station group, Tegna.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Sep. 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.
Will Stone, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Digital transformation is not just about the mechanics of overhauling systems.
—Kerry Brown, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Countertops can easily be replaced without overhauling the whole kitchen.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
The Kimmel standoff also comes as Nexstar is pushing hard for the FCC to overhaul its existing limits on TV station ownership in order to allow Nexstar to acquire a rival station group, Tegna.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Sep. 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 Sep. 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