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
Plus get some must-know pruning tips to make the right cuts.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 June 2026
Keep the plant in check by pruning suckers that develop between where a leaf meets the main stem.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Light pruning and deadheading can be done throughout the growing season.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
16 June 2026
Best of all, mountain laurels have a naturally compact and rounded form, which rarely needs pruning.
—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
13 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
Just as pruning stimulates new plant growth, releasing what no longer serves us creates space for fresh opportunities.
—
Jennifer Kamara,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 June 2026
Keep the plant in check by pruning suckers that develop between where a leaf meets the main stem.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Light pruning and deadheading can be done throughout the growing season.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
16 June 2026
Best of all, mountain laurels have a naturally compact and rounded form, which rarely needs pruning.
—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
13 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
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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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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Crews are focusing on the 15 feet along the roadsides, trimming trees that are still alive to help prevent fire from laddering into the crowns and removing dead trees.
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While some varieties will rebloom without deadheading, trimming fading flowers keeps the flower bed from looking tired.
Verb
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The interim agreement to end the Iran war has already reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed, cutting the global economy off from significant supplies of oil and natural gas.
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But after the cost-cutting trade of Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, the depth chart for the edge rusher spots is thin.
Verb
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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 28 Jun. 2026.
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