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
Democrats are facing a deluge of criticism from their base and are still in the midst of overhauling their messaging to combat Trump 2.0, particularly on finding ways to better connect with young male voters, who are skewing more conservative than their female counterparts.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Simultaneously, cybersecurity standards are being overhauled to prepare for future attacks by quantum computers.
—Ali El Kaafarani, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Now, though, an executive order signed by President Trump could presage legal challenges of pioneering California laws that overhauled school discipline by banning willful defiance suspensions for K-12 students.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
The directive calls for a comprehensive transformation strategy that includes streamlining the Army's force structure, eliminating wasteful spending, overhauling the acquisition process, and modernizing outdated defense contracts.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Simultaneously, cybersecurity standards are being overhauled to prepare for future attacks by quantum computers.
—Ali El Kaafarani, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Now, though, an executive order signed by President Trump could presage legal challenges of pioneering California laws that overhauled school discipline by banning willful defiance suspensions for K-12 students.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
The directive calls for a comprehensive transformation strategy that includes streamlining the Army's force structure, eliminating wasteful spending, overhauling the acquisition process, and modernizing outdated defense contracts.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 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 17 May. 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
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