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
Otherwise, utility crews will be forced to prune it severely for safety’s sake.
—
Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Some loropetalum varieties barely need pruning at all.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Feb. 2026
Note that now is the time to prune your fruit trees.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The answer is found in the brilliant reddish bronze of its new foliage, visible throughout the year but especially following pruning, when rapid and significant regrowth results in lots of fiery foliage.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Some loropetalum varieties barely need pruning at all.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Feb. 2026
Note that now is the time to prune your fruit trees.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The answer is found in the brilliant reddish bronze of its new foliage, visible throughout the year but especially following pruning, when rapid and significant regrowth results in lots of fiery foliage.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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Pacific Ridge shaved six points off the deficit, outscoring the Komets in the third quarter.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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And the longest-ever government shutdown shaved a bunch of productivity off the books in the fourth quarter – growth that the US economy should be making back this quarter.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sam Bennett scored with 35 seconds left to cut the deficit back to one but Florida could get no closer.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
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That deal, which required Iran to limit its nuclear program by, among other things, cutting enrichment levels and reducing centrifuges, took effect in 2016 and was due to expire 10 years after it was adopted.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The jersey also includes a jock tag depicting a dove carrying an olive branch, while the Pride’s familiar purple trims the collar, cuffs and player lettering.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
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Cheese quesadillas are sliced into inch-long planks, crusts are trimmed off sandwiches to stave off a potential meltdown, and even grapes are halved.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Consider a substitute ground cover in hard to mow or problem areas where grass won’t grow.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
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Declutter your yard or porch, wash the driveway and walkway before showings, and make sure the lawn is mowed and the garden is tended to.—
Sheila Kim,
The Spruce,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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