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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as in trimmed
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Recent Examples of pruned
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Other hydrangea types, like panicle and smooth, grow on new wood so they can be pruned in fall, but waiting until spring provides protection against new growth emerging during warm spells.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Petunias, which have become disheveled and leggy, can be pruned back to put out fresh, green growth and new blooms.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
Since perennial firespike shrubs are very vigorous it’s recommended they be pruned in late February and as needed throughout the growing season.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Any budding Karadec-Morgan relationship will be pruned down in the new season.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
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
Verb
Even if a tree belongs to your neighbor, do not throw pruned branches onto their property for cleanup.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Too-large plants need to be pruned forever.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Other hydrangea types, like panicle and smooth, grow on new wood so they can be pruned in fall, but waiting until spring provides protection against new growth emerging during warm spells.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Petunias, which have become disheveled and leggy, can be pruned back to put out fresh, green growth and new blooms.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
Since perennial firespike shrubs are very vigorous it’s recommended they be pruned in late February and as needed throughout the growing season.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Any budding Karadec-Morgan relationship will be pruned down in the new season.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
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
Verb
-
Her mother, brother, and aunt shaved their heads as well.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Per a Vogue cover story earlier this month, the actress’ head was shaved in real time during a scene in the movie.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Richland trimmed the deficit with a focus on the ground game, as Kates and Gibson ran the ball right through the Panthers’ defense while playing up-tempo.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
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Earlier in 2024, Fox News trimmed a portion of his answer to a question when he was asked about declassifying files related to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Initially lined up outside, Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones quickly cut inside to beat the right tackle.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
On the northeast of the fire, by Sugar Pine Mountain, crews worked in steep, inaccessible terrain to bring containment lines into the natural rock bluff, trying to cut the fire off south of the Wishon Reservoir for the protection of the critical hydroelectric infrastructure.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The video quickly clipped to the white sedan engulfed in flames.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
In contrast, other states with stricter regimes may have their wings clipped.—
Owen Tedford,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pruned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruned. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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