Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Overhaul

v.capable, hopefulprofessional

What it means

To repair or improve something thoroughly.

Reach for it when describing a thorough examination, repair, or redesign

The volunteers will overhaul the playground before school resumes.

Choose between these

7
  • playful

    redo

    informal repetition from a poor result is intended

    not when Redo says nothing about diagnosis or thoroughness.

  • everyday

    revamp

    a broad practical update is meant

    not when Revamp can be mostly cosmetic.

  • warm

    transform

    deep change produces a distinctly new state

    not when Transformation can overstate a careful repair.

  • professional

    rebuild

    core parts are replaced or reconstructed

    not when A rebuild is more extensive and may start over.

  • professional

    recondition

    equipment is restored to serviceable condition

    not when Reconditioning retains more of the original system.

  • professional

    renovate

    a building or physical space is restored and improved

    not when Renovation is narrower than systems change.

  • formal

    reform

    rules or institutions change to correct faults

    not when Reform is political and need not involve repair.

Said against

3
  • neglect
  • preserve unchanged
  • patch superficially

It naturally appears in

3
  • overhaul the system

    The council will overhaul the system after the access review.

  • completely overhaul

    Volunteers plan to completely overhaul the playground before term.

  • overhaul and repair

    Engineers will overhaul and repair the oldest water pump.

Where this comes from

Overhaul implies substantial scope; repair, update, or redesign may better describe a bounded change.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.