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
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2026
Dead or declining stems and leaves can be pruned back into healthy portions.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
More than 200 hibiscus species are not all pruned the same way (or at the same time).
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 9 Feb. 2026
Many evergreens should be pruned conservatively to give them a better chance of growing back.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Since the fig forms its fruit on shoots that start to grow in the spring, it can be radically pruned in the winter without affecting the following year’s two crops.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 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
Houseplant roots that are damaged, encircling, or severely overgrown can be pruned back slightly to rejuvenate the plant and free up space in the pot.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2026
Dead or declining stems and leaves can be pruned back into healthy portions.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
More than 200 hibiscus species are not all pruned the same way (or at the same time).
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 9 Feb. 2026
Many evergreens should be pruned conservatively to give them a better chance of growing back.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Since the fig forms its fruit on shoots that start to grow in the spring, it can be radically pruned in the winter without affecting the following year’s two crops.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 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
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White was one of seven players used by Self in a trimmed rotation that resulted in four players in double-digit scoring and three players with eight points each.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
14 Jan. 2026
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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
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The Commerce Department estimated the work stoppage shaved off around 1 percentage point from economic growth.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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The gap to Arsenal was shaved back to six points but the result felt far more significant than that.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Superintendent Brian Yearwood originally proposed cutting academic instructional coaches as part of a plan to address a $188 million deficit in the 2026-27 budget.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the car clipped the corner of one house, crossed the street and crashed into a second home.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
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Shiffrin was in the back of the start house when Duerr, skiing next to last on the second run, clipped the very first gate and crashed out.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruned. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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