overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl 

overhauled; overhauling; overhauls

transitive verb

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.

overhaul

ˈō-vər-ˌhȯl 

noun

Synonyms

• catch
• catch up (with)
• overtake

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

Advertisement Adding to the challenges of overhauling an entire correctional system are the traumas that happen within prison walls. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

Further health-care provisions would overhaul the regulation of pharmacy-benefit managers. —The Editors, National Review, 19 Dec. 2024

Legislative efforts to overhaul the system have failed — yet in 2024, antitrust enforcement is experiencing something of a boom. —Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 17 Dec. 2024

From now on, the Democratic Party has no choice but to move left, move right, overhaul its approach entirely, and/or change nothing at all. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

2

: overtake sense 1a

overhaul

ˈō-vər-ˌhȯl 

noun