Synonyms of prune

prune

verb

as in to shave

to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument

pruned the dead branches from the old apple tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shave
• cut
• trim
• mow
• pare
• crop
• clip
• snip
• bob
• cut back
• shear
• nip
• dock
• lop (off)
• poll
• whittle
• shorten
• stump
• curtail
• pinch
• skive
• manicure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• lengthen
• elongate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prune

Prune Lavender Late summer and early fall are the best times to lightly prune lavender, since the plant is finished blooming. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 14 Sep. 2026

As cheaper models become uneconomic to produce, manufacturers are pruning them from their line-ups, pushing the overall market higher. — Celestine Iyer, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Moor explains how this form of thought emphasizes branching, growth, and pruning, as opposed to hierarchical ordering, and shows how these principles can be identified in the work of writers like Tolstoy and Wordsworth. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Or, take them inside and add pieces to open shelving or a mantel among taper candles and small pumpkins—no watering, pruning, or sunlight required. — Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2026