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
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Recent Examples of prune
While pruning apple trees in the orchard during the rainy engagement, William quipped about the difficulties.
—
Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
There are several pruning techniques, and rejuvenation pruning is not the right one for every kind of shrub.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
So, each kind of fruit tree gets pruned differently.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The best time to prune these trees is immediately after harvesting.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
There are several pruning techniques, and rejuvenation pruning is not the right one for every kind of shrub.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
So, each kind of fruit tree gets pruned differently.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The best time to prune these trees is immediately after harvesting.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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According to charging documents, a co-conspirator texted Shell a request to shave points before one February 2024 game.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Federal prosecutors charged 26 people in a massive college basketball point-shaving scheme Thursday, which involved numerous players and teams from NCAA Division I men’s basketball.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Carolina cut the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Young, the second-longest TD run of his career.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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This same staff cut him to make room for a waiver-wire claim before the start of the 2024 season.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sustainability The hotel is entirely heated with wood chips, an eco-friendly fuel obtained from forestry waste and wood processing and from trimming trees.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
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That includes trimming branches that grow past the property line.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ross has mowed through Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles (interim), Joe Philbin, Dan Campbell (interim), Adam Gase, Brian Flores and now McDaniel.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
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Backup offensive lineman Thayer Munford whiffed blocking the Patriots' first run, but otherwise mowed defenders down as a fullback and moving tight end.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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