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
Always sterilize your tools before pruning to prevent spreading diseases and avoid removing too many green leaves at once.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
To keep those pink, white, yellow, orange, or red blooms lush, pruning should be done in late winter because the blooms appear on new growth.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
25 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
Plus get some must-know pruning tips to make the right cuts.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 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
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
To keep those pink, white, yellow, orange, or red blooms lush, pruning should be done in late winter because the blooms appear on new growth.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
25 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
Plus get some must-know pruning tips to make the right cuts.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
Verb
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Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 33% off, sending the price tag below $100 and shaving $50 off.
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Borrowers with strong credit may be able to qualify for a rate below that threshold, and shaving even half a point off your rate can add meaningful room to your price ceiling.
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.
-
Consider trimming a task list, then schedule a quiet break between meetings to recharge.
Verb
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Jangoo and Chase batted cautiously in the first hour before cutting loose just before lunch.
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The ribbon-cutting event was a somewhat soggy affair (got to love that unpredictable Florida weather) but a happy one for Seth and the 20+ IONNA employees that made the road trip down from their corporate office in Raleigh, NC.
Verb
-
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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Grass blades with frost on them are brittle and can be damaged by mowing.
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Maintain your yard by regularly mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, and reducing moisture to deter chiggers.
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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