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
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
Ground-hugging plants can be pruned around the outer edges.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Old-wood hydrangeas, like bigleaf and oakleaf, can be pruned in summer right after flowers fade to protect next year’s buds.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
The olive trees on the property are pruned sparingly, watered once a week during their first year, and left to take deep root in soil that will sustain them for decades.
—Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Plants are less likely to catch fire if they are properly irrigated, pruned to remove all dead material, and free of fallen leaves, needles and twigs.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 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
Prune As Needed Some vegetables won’t need to be pruned at all in indoor setups.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Never leave pruned plant debris lying around the base of the tomato.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Not all varieties should be pruned.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
Ground-hugging plants can be pruned around the outer edges.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Old-wood hydrangeas, like bigleaf and oakleaf, can be pruned in summer right after flowers fade to protect next year’s buds.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
The olive trees on the property are pruned sparingly, watered once a week during their first year, and left to take deep root in soil that will sustain them for decades.
—Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Plants are less likely to catch fire if they are properly irrigated, pruned to remove all dead material, and free of fallen leaves, needles and twigs.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 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
Prune As Needed Some vegetables won’t need to be pruned at all in indoor setups.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruned
Adjective
-
Prevent ant hills by maintaining trimmed grass, removing debris, tilling soil, and planting pest-repellent herbs like mint or basil.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 June 2026
-
Use a garden trowel to loosen the soil beneath the hydrangea, place the trimmed area of the stem into the soil, and cover it.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Through negotiations, the state and labor groups shaved over $700 million from the budget through pay reductions and suspensions to various retirement contributions.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
26 Nov. 2025
-
After Jokic and the starters returned, Denver didn’t execute the zone as cleanly, and Memphis shaved a 13-point deficit to eight by halftime.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers say the facility significantly cuts both training time and cost for AI models.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
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Sacramento’s latest homelessness decision will cut funding and reduce services at some shelters that support pregnant youth, the LGBTQ+ community and young parents.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Scotland came close to a goal in the 17th minute when captain Scott McTominay got loose and fired a shot that clipped the top of the post.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Hilton, who cuts an unmistakable image with his bald crown and clipped English accent, proved himself as a polished communicator during the debates, skills honed by his years as a Fox News analyst.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruned. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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