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
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
Some joke the best way to prune Bradford pears is with a chainsaw — cut at a horizontal angle flush with the ground.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Don’t prune spring bloomers like lilacs or forsythia yet.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026
Be safe; have arborists do pruning of larger and older trees.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
Some joke the best way to prune Bradford pears is with a chainsaw — cut at a horizontal angle flush with the ground.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Don’t prune spring bloomers like lilacs or forsythia yet.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026
Be safe; have arborists do pruning of larger and older trees.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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In the first episode back, Cranston stands completely nude as Kaczmarek’s Lois shaves his back and nether regions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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With the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring, consumers under even more economic pressure may not be lured back by PepsiCo shaving less than a dollar off a snack bag.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Medical experts say if a rattlesnake bites, keep the area still, at or below heart level, do not apply ice, do not cut the wound, and do not suck out the venom – and seek help immediately.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Aztecs were within nine points late in the first half against Michigan and had a 3 rattle out that would have cut it to six before getting their doors blown off 94-54, their most lopsided defeat of the 21st century.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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His volunteering includes helping seniors by mowing their lawns, trimming their hedges and bringing them dinner on holidays.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maintain a healthy lawn and mow higher to help shade out crabgrass.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2026
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While not having a lawn to mow sparked the couple’s decision to change things up, what to have in its place took some thought.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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