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
This native plant doesn’t need much pruning other than to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and thin it out as needed to improve circulation.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Compost, mulch, and microbial balance are as much a part of the firm’s services as pruning roses or planting containers.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
When pruning shrubs and trees, do your best to keep healthy trimmings in your yard as a valuable carbon resource.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Compost, mulch, and microbial balance are as much a part of the firm’s services as pruning roses or planting containers.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
When pruning shrubs and trees, do your best to keep healthy trimmings in your yard as a valuable carbon resource.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
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
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Another unit in Tsuen Wan, a residential neighborhood in the New Territories, was sold at a loss of $142,000, shaving 40% off the original price, according to local news reports.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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There’s the 1978 Boston College point-shaving scandal, where student athletes were paid by the mob to limit the number of points their team scored.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bibb took to her Instagram story before the annual event, sharing a behind-the-scenes video of Chris McMillan trimming her ends.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
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Once the tree is installed, state Department of General Services crews will go to work trimming the tree over the next several days.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Walz drew a surge of media attention and prompted popular X posts on the campaign trail for cutting a rootsy profile like her father.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
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In cutting those moments, Baxter used the score to track the temperature of his edit, especially as the second chapter begins.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Next to a wooden model of an ibis and a Brazil shirt signed by 1994 World Cup winner Ricardo Rocha is a small newspaper clipping.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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Tie branches with twine and add evergreen tassels, then insert photos in the branches, clipping them on, if needed, to hold in place.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The rule applies from the first spring to the last fall mowing.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
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Delete public safety positions as if the work of the District Attorney were no different from any other department on the spreadsheet—interchangeable with filing permits or mowing medians.—
Todd Spitzer,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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