as in trimmed
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as in shaved
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 pruned
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2025
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
Most shrubs are best pruned selectively, using hand pruners, rather than with a power tool.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
To prevent this, keep your tree properly pruned and keep a close eye on it.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
Autumn Evergreens can be pruned in autumn, too.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
These can be pruned to maintain their smaller size, which makes care and harvesting easy.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Several botanic gardens, such as South Coast Botanic Gardens in Rolling Hills Estates and the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, have tulip and bulb gardens — the Huntington plants them in its famous rose garden to create filler color after the roses are pruned.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Even if a tree belongs to your neighbor, do not throw pruned branches onto their property for cleanup.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2025
Verb
Trim Stems Growing Out of the Trunk Money trees are often pruned into a tidy shape that looks like a small tree.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
Most shrubs are best pruned selectively, using hand pruners, rather than with a power tool.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
To prevent this, keep your tree properly pruned and keep a close eye on it.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
Autumn Evergreens can be pruned in autumn, too.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
These can be pruned to maintain their smaller size, which makes care and harvesting easy.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Several botanic gardens, such as South Coast Botanic Gardens in Rolling Hills Estates and the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, have tulip and bulb gardens — the Huntington plants them in its famous rose garden to create filler color after the roses are pruned.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruned
Adjective
-
Each accommodation includes a trimmed Christmas tree, fireplace, and outdoor hot tub—ensuring comfort for couples or families settling in for a long winter’s night.—
Wendy O'Dea,
Robb Report,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Piza’s research showed that ShotSpotter alerts shaved off roughly 90 seconds from Kansas City police response time, but did not minimize gun violence or improve solve rates for cases occurring in the area where it is installed.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
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During his brief appearance in a Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, Nick Reiner wore brown jail garb and with his hair shaved.—
Andrew Dalton,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Carolina cut the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Young, the second-longest TD run of his career.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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This same staff cut him to make room for a waiver-wire claim before the start of the 2024 season.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Williams clipped Vrabel with his facemask.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Then it’s immediately clipped up and shared online.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruned. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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