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
Learn proper tree pruning from the Public Works staff and get information about the garden club, as well as the Wellington Art Society and Wellington Tree Board.
—
Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2026
Have the extra margarita, check out that smutty beach read (or three!), give yourself an extra hour to nap in the hammock, and swim until your fingers prune.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Apr. 2026
And how can people survive—maintain dignity, human connection, all of that—in a world where decision makers driven by dollar signs are pruning the trees for every possible efficiency?
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
Mike Arnold, director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University, said prime time for gardening is about two to three weeks ahead of schedule this year, pushing up the timeline for pruning, fertilizing and planting annuals.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2026
Have the extra margarita, check out that smutty beach read (or three!), give yourself an extra hour to nap in the hammock, and swim until your fingers prune.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Apr. 2026
And how can people survive—maintain dignity, human connection, all of that—in a world where decision makers driven by dollar signs are pruning the trees for every possible efficiency?
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
Mike Arnold, director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University, said prime time for gardening is about two to three weeks ahead of schedule this year, pushing up the timeline for pruning, fertilizing and planting annuals.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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Each man staked a wrestler, and the winner would shave the loser’s hair.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Amor & Droga [SOL] Even though she’s gone head-to-head on a track with Madonna and shaved her head onstage at FKA twigs’ Body High tour, Tokischa continues to find new ways to establish herself as one of neoperreo’s ballsiest torchbearers.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the Broncos cut Greenlaw, the 49ers wasted no time in bringing him back to pair with middle linebacker Fred Warner in hopes of reviving one of the NFL’s top linebacker tandems.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen cut their teeth as part of the Rams organization, learning from GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As many as a dozen letters — including one from the NBA — were submitted by the attorney for Aspiration Partners co-founder Joe Sanberg ahead of his sentencing Monday in an effort to persuade the judge to trim the 17 years prosecutors have requested for each of the two counts of fraud.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Revisions also have trimmed 69,000 jobs from December and January payrolls, a sign that the labor market remains under strain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Avoid mowing with dull blades; sharpen frequently.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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The city plans to create a park on the property and mow a trail through the prairie and woods for walking.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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