as in shaving
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 pruning
So, pruning overgrown shrubs and keeping grass mowed will reduce their hiding spots.
—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
Avoid planting, transplanting, fertilizing, or unnecessary pruning during heat waves.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 June 2026
While late winter and early spring are the best times for pruning pear trees (Pyrus communis), summer pruning can also be beneficial when done correctly.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
This work has involved planting the right trees in the right places, regularly pruning branches and monitoring tree health.
—
Sharon Jean-Philippe,
The Conversation,
25 June 2026
Every gardener needs a sturdy pair of shears to tackle pruning jobs.
—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
24 June 2026
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
Avoid planting, transplanting, fertilizing, or unnecessary pruning during heat waves.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 June 2026
While late winter and early spring are the best times for pruning pear trees (Pyrus communis), summer pruning can also be beneficial when done correctly.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
This work has involved planting the right trees in the right places, regularly pruning branches and monitoring tree health.
—
Sharon Jean-Philippe,
The Conversation,
25 June 2026
Every gardener needs a sturdy pair of shears to tackle pruning jobs.
—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
Verb
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Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 13% off, shaving $20 off.
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Evert allowed cameras to accompany her to treatments and doctor appointments and document her son shaving off her hair after chemotherapy.
Verb
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This factor was vastly dwarfed by organizational restructuring, budget cuts, and economic conditions, which are all far more standard explanations historically used by corporations to justify trimming jobs.
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Consider trimming a task list, then schedule a quiet break between meetings to recharge.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
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The Rockets essentially dumped Finney-Smith in a cost-cutting move after making some free agent transactions, notably signing guard Marcus Smart, and surrendered three second-rounders to the Hornets to seal the deal.
Verb
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Ninety-five-year-old Warren Buffett is famous for clipping coupons and living in a modest Nebraska house, despite having $146 billion to his name.
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Plant one clipping per vessel in a nutrient-rich soil mixture.
Verb
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Raise mowing height during dry spells to promote deeper roots and conserve soil moisture.
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Except for rare cases, there are better ways to green a lawn, including by mowing and watering properly.
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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