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
Unlike other fruits and vegetables, tomato plants can withstand a significant amount of pruning and still thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.
—
Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
Increase sun exposure by pruning above problem areas.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Kirby told employees earlier in March that the airline is preparing for oil to stay above $100 a barrel through 2027 and is pruning some of its flights in the near term.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Maintain a hydrangea standard by pruning away spent flowers and cutting back wayward stems.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 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
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
Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
Increase sun exposure by pruning above problem areas.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Kirby told employees earlier in March that the airline is preparing for oil to stay above $100 a barrel through 2027 and is pruning some of its flights in the near term.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Maintain a hydrangea standard by pruning away spent flowers and cutting back wayward stems.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 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
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
-
Very often, the home seller and listing agent will ask for a very short timeline, removing the financing contingency (the full loan approval), shaving 10 days from the process with a closing in 21 days.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Though recession fears have grown since the fighting began more than six weeks ago, most economists think the war will have only modest effects on gross domestic product — maybe shaving off a few tenths of a percentage point overall.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Start by trimming the tough, dry ends off the bunch and chop them into little logs.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Get a hedge-and-branch trimming bundle at a huge discount.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is an unsustainable path if the state hopes to avoid cutting health, education and other priorities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Another option is to remove some of the pups, by cutting under the plants, and gathering the leaves with roots.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Recently, Kick, the livestreaming platform, published clipping stats from the period of March 5 through April 5.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Jeep crashed into a concrete barrier after clipping the other car, destroying part of the barrier, Adams County Fire Rescue officials said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pure ‘mowing the lawn’ has never worked.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Never cut more than one-third of the grass height when mowing.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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