overhaul

[ verb oh-ver-hawl, oh-ver-hawl; noun oh-ver-hawl ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make necessary repairs on; restore to serviceable condition:

   My car was overhauled by an expert mechanic.

2. to investigate or examine thoroughly for repair or revision:

   Next year we're going to overhaul the curriculum.

3. to gain upon, catch up with, or overtake, as in a race.
4. to haul or turn over for examination.
5. Nautical.
   1. to slacken (a rope) by hauling in the opposite direction to that in which the rope was drawn taut.
   2. to release the blocks of (a tackle).

noun

1. Also over·hauling. a general examination and repair:

   The state roads were badly in need of a major overhaul.

overhaul

verb

1. to examine carefully for faults, necessary repairs, etc
2. to make repairs or adjustments to (a car, machine, etc)
3. to overtake

noun

1. a thorough examination and repair

Other Words From

• over·hauler noun
• uno·ver·hauled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overhaul¹

First recorded in 1620–30; over- + haul

Example Sentences

But the relationship cooled in the final months of his presidency as the ambassador assailed plans to overhaul the judiciary that critics saw as a ruling-party power play.

From Los Angeles Times

The United Nations' COP climate talks are "no longer fit for purpose" and need an urgent overhaul, key experts including a former UN secretary general and former UN climate chief have said.

From BBC

He also praised Trump for tapping Elon Musk, a longtime friend of McCarthy and the world’s richest person, to help lead a new office to overhaul government.

From Los Angeles Times

NumbersUSA ran a grassroots robo-fax campaign that helped kill George W. Bush’s bipartisan immigration overhaul.

From Salon

The unit he inherited required an overhaul to deal with thousands more incoming troops.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fix
• improve
• modernize
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• reexamine
• renew
• repair
• revamp