as in cutting
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
pared the stray branches on the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paring
Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Dec. 2025
This 13-piece knife set has six handy blades, including a large chef’s knife for chopping and a paring blade for smaller slices.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Brent crude was up 3% at around $98 a barrel, paring earlier gains.
—Ira Iosebashvili, Bloomberg, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paring
Noun
Wüsthof’s Classic paring knife is sharp, well-made, and high quality.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Dec. 2025
This 13-piece knife set has six handy blades, including a large chef’s knife for chopping and a paring blade for smaller slices.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Verb
The opposite approach—paring things down to the bare minimum—often comes at the cost of comfort and routine.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Brent crude was up 3% at around $98 a barrel, paring earlier gains.
—Ira Iosebashvili, Bloomberg, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paring
Noun
-
Dollar Shave club, an authority in the men's shaving space, just created a collection catering to women, too.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
Each bucket can hold different toiletries like shampoo, body lotions, and shaving supplies to help streamline your shower routine.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The back-to-back debates offered plenty of cutting moments as Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman and reality television star Spencer Pratt faced off against each other.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Porter focused on cutting bureaucracy, calling for a single statewide development permit to streamline approvals and reduce delays.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Noun
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And if the power unit does require some super clipping, the additional V6 output leaves more power available to keep the car driving, reducing those speed differentials.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
-
Without proper clipping, the plant will look worse for wear and may decrease the visual interest of your garden.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
After making a slew of undrafted free-agent signings, the Broncos are trimming their offseason roster as rookie minicamp kicks off this weekend.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Brian Kemp signs 34 bills, trimming his backlog with days left to act on this year’s legislation.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
While the group claims it was formed by splinter factions of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, authorities have accused it of being a front for the TTP.—
Riaz Khan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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Not-so-splendid splinter During a 1976 game against the Dodgers at San Diego Stadium, Padres left-hander Randy Jones was pitching to the Dodgers’ Bill Russell to lead off the seventh inning.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The peas themselves are piled like cabochons over a thin pastry shell, dressed in a tart citrus vinaigrette and studded with slivers of pickled shallots that deliver bracing little sparks of brine against the crisp sweetness of the legumes.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
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This is merely a sliver of the warm welcome Bhatia received on Friday, which saw an impressive second round that thrusted the powerful lefty to one-under-par on the day and minus-4 overall, comfortably in the Top 20 heading into the weekend.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paring. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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