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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in trimmed
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Recent Examples of pruned
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
When experiences don’t occur, that particular set of connections won’t be made, because neurons that aren’t seeing any action get pruned away to keep our brains working efficiently.
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
These types of hydrangeas should only be pruned immediately after flowering in the spring and summer.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
In warmer regions, some ornamental grasses might not need to be pruned annually.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Outside the home, keep tree branches pruned, and as far away from the house as possible.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Ronan Day-Lewis seems to have plucked and pruned the best lessons from them, too.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2025
There are proposals for agencies to be merged, mandates reduced, headcounts pruned.
—David Miliband, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
The older tree was pruned three years ago in the winter but other than that, all other variables except the weather have remained constant.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 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
The fence corners are clean, so are the ditches, and the fruit trees have been pruned and sprayed.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
When experiences don’t occur, that particular set of connections won’t be made, because neurons that aren’t seeing any action get pruned away to keep our brains working efficiently.
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
These types of hydrangeas should only be pruned immediately after flowering in the spring and summer.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
In warmer regions, some ornamental grasses might not need to be pruned annually.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Outside the home, keep tree branches pruned, and as far away from the house as possible.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Ronan Day-Lewis seems to have plucked and pruned the best lessons from them, too.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2025
There are proposals for agencies to be merged, mandates reduced, headcounts pruned.
—David Miliband, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
The older tree was pruned three years ago in the winter but other than that, all other variables except the weather have remained constant.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruned
Verb
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Moviegoers had to agree to have their hair shaved off by a barber in the theater's lobby.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
-
As part of her Bugonia role, Stone shaved her head and began wearing wigs to events to conceal her new look.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Shares of footwear maker Deckers Brands plunged 15% Friday after the company trimmed its sales guidance for Hoka and Ugg — the two brands driving its growth — over concerns that tariffs are leading to a slide in demand.—
Luke Fountain,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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Walmart has trimmed the price of its annual Thanksgiving meal deal to less than $4 per person, down from less than $7 per person in 2024.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Overall, the inflation data likely add fuel to expectations that the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by another quarter percentage point at its policy meeting later this month - its second consecutive cut.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Superstar Shohei Ohtani launched a two-run shot to cut the lead down to 11-4, but the momentum still appeared to be on the Blue Jays' side in a raucous Rogers Centre.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gausman allowed a solo home run to Dodgers catcher Will Smith, and two batters later, he got clipped by third baseman Max Muncy.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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Her arm was hooked up to an IV with a pulse oximeter clipped to her fingertip.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pruned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruned. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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