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
Best of all, mountain laurels have a naturally compact and rounded form, which rarely needs pruning.
—
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Some shrubs also benefit from pruning to encourage more flowering.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Early bloomers are deadheaded, vigorous plants need pruning, and beds demand regular upkeep as temperatures rise.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Prune Properly Selectively pruning your roses opens up plant structure for better branch spacing.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 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, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Some shrubs also benefit from pruning to encourage more flowering.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Early bloomers are deadheaded, vigorous plants need pruning, and beds demand regular upkeep as temperatures rise.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Prune Properly Selectively pruning your roses opens up plant structure for better branch spacing.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 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
-
The researchers estimated that those who got neither bright days nor dark nights were shaving five years off their lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
The criticism died down only after shaving off nanoseconds became widespread, making the strategy less profitable.—
Gary Sernovitz,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
-
While some varieties will rebloom without deadheading, trimming fading flowers keeps the flower bed from looking tired.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
-
But after the cost-cutting trade of Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, the depth chart for the edge rusher spots is thin.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The plane crashed on the road, clipping a car and breaking apart.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Allbirds is clipping its wings — again.—
Lily Wright,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Few things feel as satisfying as a cold drink of water after mowing the lawn on a hot afternoon, finishing a tough workout or waking up thirsty in the middle of the night.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Make American Lawn-mowing Great Again!—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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