overhauled; overhauling; overhauls
Synonyms of overhaulnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to examine thoroughly
Our systems of education are being constantly overhauledSaturday 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
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.
Singapore is overhauling its landmark baby bonus scheme, first introduced in 2001, as the city’s fertility rate and number of births fall to record lows. Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 North Carolina has overhauled its offense and brought in Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator for Belichick’s second season. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 North Carolina needed to overhaul its roster this offseason, while TCU didn’t have that problem. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 The directors instructed Jantzen earlier this month to develop a plan to overhaul the assessment process after board members raised concerns about how the district calculates the charges. Haley Parsley august 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overhaul

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhaul was in 1705

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Cite this Entry

“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
2

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