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.
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
The Fair School Funding Formula, signed into law in 2021, overhauled the way the state approached public school funding after its long-standing prior model was deemed unconstitutional in 1997.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the Milwaukee School Board has approved a reading plan proposed by Cassellius that, among many things, overhauls some past approaches to reading instruction.
—Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Trump’s policy, his biggest step yet toward overhauling the legal migration system in the US, would drastically increase the cost of a program popular with some of the largest American companies.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
In the meantime, Father Joe’s has relied on private donors to overhaul the Paul Mirabile Center.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Cite this Entry
“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Kids 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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