Synonyms of pruning

pruning

verb

present participle of prune

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shaving
• trimming
• cutting
• clipping
• mowing
• shearing
• cropping
• paring
• snipping
• bobbing
• cutting back
• docking
• polling
• nipping
• lopping (off)
• whittling
• manicuring
• shortening
• pinching
• curtailing
• skiving
• stumping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lengthening
• extending
• elongating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pruning

Fungal disease damage can often be eliminated by pruning plants to improving the air circulation in and around the shrub. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Joanna Glovinsky runs a local fruit tree pruning and education company called Fruitstitute. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

That effectively restricted membership of the imperial family to immediate relatives of then Emperor Hirohito, pruning 11 collateral branches, and setting the scene for the current shortage. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Climate plays a crucial role in rose pruning because doing it too early, especially before the last frost, can harm the plant. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 July 2026

Control methods range from hand-picking pests and using baits to applying pesticides and pruning plants. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 7 July 2026

The key is pruning—careful pruning will further enhance a tree's appearance. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 July 2026

Keep pruning tomato foliage to prevent it from touching the soil and manage the growth of the plants. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026