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
Complete needed pruning to remove old flower heads and keep your plants in bounds by the end of August.
—
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
By late April, when the roses start blooming, they’ve already been pruned and fertilized, but Bifano is always on the prowl for any signs of disease or pests.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
These trees should be pruned only during winter dormancy, when the sap-feeding beetles that spread Dutch elm disease are inactive.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Others will spread into a shrub-like habit unless pruned.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
By late April, when the roses start blooming, they’ve already been pruned and fertilized, but Bifano is always on the prowl for any signs of disease or pests.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
These trees should be pruned only during winter dormancy, when the sap-feeding beetles that spread Dutch elm disease are inactive.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Others will spread into a shrub-like habit unless pruned.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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This was in the days when only lunatics or scary white punks had shaved heads.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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The index dipped only slightly, but that nonetheless shaved off some gains from what could have been a higher high.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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The latest setback was the Senate parliamentarian striking down several provisions of the bill that were designed to cut spending.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Some might have trimmed guest lists — not for space, but to cut the grocery bill.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
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The hue of your walls, trim, and ceiling can either clash or complement your upholstery, drapery, and art.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
2 July 2025
Verb
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The foil-shaving head mows everything down to a smooth finish, while the trimmer can keep things as long as 11mm.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
26 June 2025
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Some species can keep their turf-like appearance by only being mowed two to three times yearly.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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