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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pruning Caring for the earlier hybrid tea roses required a great deal of work, including fertilizing, pruning, getting rid of pests and diseases, and preparing them for winter. — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Trim new-wood types in late winter because pruning supports stronger, fuller blooms. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026 States can help by pruning occupational licensing requirements and making credentials modular and stackable, so short qualifications add up into longer ones. — Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 It’s been a dynamic year with a varied complexion of transactions, from mega-mergers to portfolio pruning through corporate divestitures. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Avoid pruning fuchsias in fall because fresh cuts leave branches vulnerable to frost and disease. — Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 7 Oct. 2026 Big companies like UnitedHealth Group, Humana, and others are chasing higher profits by pruning benefits, after investors grew dissatisfied with margins that were smaller than the insurers had promised. — Bob Herman, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026 Like many bulbs, lilies store nutrients in their bulbs over winter, so pruning too early can reduce next year’s blooms of these perennial flowers. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026 Fall pruning can stimulate tender new growth that is easily killed by cold. — Pam Rosendal, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
  1. shaving
  2. trimming
  3. cutting
  4. clipping
  5. mowing
Verb
  • Men in some communities stop shaving, while women may remove their jewelry.
    — Shushan Karapetian, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Like almost winning a race, almost shaving a second off my time for the 3200m run, my event in high school, the one that got me into college, a recruit for someone else to gamble on.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of shaving
Verb
  • The Legislature has been trimming home building regulations and should continue.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • During the winter holidays, millions of people are traveling, many of whom are expected at the Thanksgiving table or tree-trimming party.
    — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of trimming
Verb
  • The plans were developed by the Department of Government Efficiency, a cost-cutting team initially overseen by billionaire Elon Musk, in response to a presidential order meant to rid the government of DEI programs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Following its 2015 merger, the company adopted an aggressive cost-cutting mandate that leadership reported hitting, quarter after quarter, ahead of schedule.
    — Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of cutting
Verb
  • Later that summer, having turned professional, Russell qualified for her first World Championships but crashed out at the semifinals after clipping the second hurdle.
    — Fraser Godden, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The community is highly deferential to Fuentes, O’Brian says, eager to gain his favor by clipping and posting moments from his show or attacking his critics online.
    — Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of clipping
Verb
  • Adjusting mowing height, watering deeply but less frequently, and following appropriate fertilization practices may improve its appearance without additional seed.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026
  • John Watts, who owns a mowing company, says the rain disrupted his work plans that day.
    — Veronica Fulton-Mazaika, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of mowing

Browse Nearby Words

prunes
pruning
prurience
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Cite this Entry

“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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