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
Byron recommends establishing rosemary before pruning it.
—
Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
After pruning, apply a copper fungicide or similar product following label instructions.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
After pruning, your rosemary plants may surprise you and bloom at sporadic times of year.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 May 2026
Gardening often involves repeating the same movements for extended periods – especially during pruning, weeding or planting.
—Dr. Kęstutis Braziulis, USA Today, 17 May 2026
To give it a little boost and your yard some extra shade, try planting a row of fast-growing hedges and pruning them under the fence line.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Although watermelons generally don’t need pruning, training vines to grow on trellises can increase airflow and reduce mildew.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 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
Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
After pruning, apply a copper fungicide or similar product following label instructions.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
After pruning, your rosemary plants may surprise you and bloom at sporadic times of year.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 May 2026
Gardening often involves repeating the same movements for extended periods – especially during pruning, weeding or planting.
—Dr. Kęstutis Braziulis, USA Today, 17 May 2026
To give it a little boost and your yard some extra shade, try planting a row of fast-growing hedges and pruning them under the fence line.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Although watermelons generally don’t need pruning, training vines to grow on trellises can increase airflow and reduce mildew.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
Verb
-
In practical terms, that is roughly a 1–2 percent reduction in total mission velocity change, which is the equivalent of shaving a few liters off every hundred liters in a long-distance road trip.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
-
Gonce's daily life revolves around caring for Jason — administering medicine, preparing food, bathing and shaving him and keeping him safe.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Then Pages drove him in by roping his own double into the left-field corner, trimming the Brewers’ lead to two runs.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
To prevent groundhogs, make your yard less inviting by securing trash, trimming brush, and fencing your garden.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Levu remained hot, banging home an RBI single in the bottom of the third, cutting the deficit by a run.—
Jack Vita,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Upon arrival, crews immediately began cutting holes in the roof for ventilation and took an offensive approach to battling the flames.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The other boys were pulling down their pack straps, clipping them tight.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
Another report from October shows the vehicle clipping part of a dump trailer that extended into the roadway.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Red clover stands taller, is less amenable to mowing, and can be short-lived.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
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 26 May. 2026.
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