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
Best of all, mountain laurels have a naturally compact and rounded form, which rarely needs pruning.
—
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Some shrubs also benefit from pruning to encourage more flowering.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Early bloomers are deadheaded, vigorous plants need pruning, and beds demand regular upkeep as temperatures rise.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Prune Properly Selectively pruning your roses opens up plant structure for better branch spacing.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 June 2026
This easy task is known as thumb pruning and facilitates keeping the bush open to air and sun.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
Work pruning and removing trees began in the fall and is expected to be finished in early Spring 2025, officials said.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025
During sleep, scientists suspect that our bodies and brains are replenishing energy stores, flushing waste and toxins, pruning synapses and consolidating memories.
—Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
Just as pruning stimulates new plant growth, releasing what no longer serves us creates space for fresh opportunities.
—Jennifer Kamara, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Some shrubs also benefit from pruning to encourage more flowering.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Early bloomers are deadheaded, vigorous plants need pruning, and beds demand regular upkeep as temperatures rise.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Prune Properly Selectively pruning your roses opens up plant structure for better branch spacing.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 June 2026
This easy task is known as thumb pruning and facilitates keeping the bush open to air and sun.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
Work pruning and removing trees began in the fall and is expected to be finished in early Spring 2025, officials said.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025
During sleep, scientists suspect that our bodies and brains are replenishing energy stores, flushing waste and toxins, pruning synapses and consolidating memories.
—Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
Just as pruning stimulates new plant growth, releasing what no longer serves us creates space for fresh opportunities.
—Jennifer Kamara, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
Verb
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In October, the feds announced a sweeping investigation into NBA point-shaving rings tied to the mafia.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Fairley also admitted Thursday to placing wagers and recruiting and bribing college basketball players to underperform in games in a separate NCAA point-shaving case brought by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Ensuring your porch is unwelcoming by relocating bird baths or feeders and trimming nearby trees can prevent birds from making nests.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
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Midfielder Mauricio pulled one back for Paraguay in the 73rd minute, trimming the United States' lead to 3-1.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The lead stretched to 12 before Brunson and the Knicks rallied again, cutting the lead down to five halfway through the quarter.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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What else is going on AI is cutting hours of office work for workers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Incidents of planes clipping each other's wings on the ground are not uncommon.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
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Steve came to Matthew and me with a news clipping about this weird thing that happened down in Houston.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
Verb
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In the Afternoon Avoid mowing in the middle of the day, especially during the hottest months of the year, says Lori Johnson, president of The Grounds Guys, a Neighborly company.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
9 June 2026
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Gen Alpha kids have grown up with AI Spending money for Gen Alpha kids is coming from allowances for doing chores (78%), payment for good grades (67%), and their own side hustles like mowing lawns and babysitting (57%), the survey found.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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