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
No winter protection is necessary for trees in warm-weather zones but winter is the best time for pruning to keep their growth in check and maintain their shape.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Spring is the most appropriate time to employ these pruning tactics in accordance with lilac’s growing needs.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Usually, lilacs need the renewal method of pruning.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Keep pruning to a minimum and feed with a fertilizer intended for acid-loving plants in spring.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
Keep winter squash and pumpkin vines under control, training or pruning them.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Provide a trellis or other growing structure, and refrain from pruning during its first growing season.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026
Next comes pruning — which usually should start when a tree is about five years old.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 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
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Spring is the most appropriate time to employ these pruning tactics in accordance with lilac’s growing needs.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Usually, lilacs need the renewal method of pruning.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Keep pruning to a minimum and feed with a fertilizer intended for acid-loving plants in spring.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
Keep winter squash and pumpkin vines under control, training or pruning them.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Provide a trellis or other growing structure, and refrain from pruning during its first growing season.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026
Next comes pruning — which usually should start when a tree is about five years old.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
Verb
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This awesome little robovac-mop is literally shaving a full workday a week off her already insane I'm-a-mom schedule.—
Joe Salas
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
-
Sobbing while shaving head in…what’s that movie?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
After making a slew of undrafted free-agent signings, the Broncos are trimming their offseason roster as rookie minicamp kicks off this weekend.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Brian Kemp signs 34 bills, trimming his backlog with days left to act on this year’s legislation.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The back-to-back debates offered plenty of cutting moments as Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman and reality television star Spencer Pratt faced off against each other.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Porter focused on cutting bureaucracy, calling for a single statewide development permit to streamline approvals and reduce delays.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Since then, and especially over the past year, clipping has gone professional.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
Thin Extra Seedlings After the seeds sprout and are a few inches tall with true leaves, thin out the weakest plants by clipping them off at the soil line with scissors.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Red clover stands taller, is less amenable to mowing, and can be short-lived.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
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Avoid mowing in the early morning or mid-day, as wet grass and strong sunlight can harm your lawn.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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