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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prune
Horacek will demonstrate the how to prune roses, tools needed and this year’s new varieties of roses.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Prince William spends the day pruning apple trees, feeding sheep and building a fence on a family-run farm in Herefordshire, England on Jan. 15.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Most shrubs are best pruned selectively, using hand pruners, rather than with a power tool.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Note that January is the traditional time to start pruning roses and fruit trees in Southern California.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Prince William spends the day pruning apple trees, feeding sheep and building a fence on a family-run farm in Herefordshire, England on Jan. 15.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Most shrubs are best pruned selectively, using hand pruners, rather than with a power tool.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Note that January is the traditional time to start pruning roses and fruit trees in Southern California.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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As for pre-existing ones, Boone said that Carlos Rodón, recovering from elbow surgery to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur, and Gerrit Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery last spring, are doing well with their throwing programs.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Shortly after revealing her diagnosis in February 2025, Mellencamp, 44, shaved her head to prep for surgery to remove a few of the tumors.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More recently, the mayor spoke out against the county’s plan to cut $200 million in homeless services.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Local reports said Ukrainian missiles hit a power plant and an electrical substation, cutting power to parts of the city.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hachimura helped the Lakers stay the course after their lead was trimmed to two points with 27 seconds left.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Officials say the goats will practically climb over each other to reach them, turning bush-trimming into a competitive sport.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some weeds such as rescue grass and annual bluegrass produce an attractive winter lawn if they are mowed on a regular basis.—
Calvin Finch,
San Antonio Express-News,
30 Jan. 2026
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Keep lawns breathable by removing leaves, mowing before winter, and avoiding foot traffic or snow piles.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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