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

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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 Dahlias benefit most from regular maintenance pruning rather than one large deadheading session. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 July 2026 Modern cultivars like ‘Nordic’ and ‘Gem Box’ feature dense growth, forming lush spheres in gardens without requiring pruning. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2026 Limit pruning late in the summer, which can impact flower production for the following year. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 July 2026 Daily tours allow the public to view the colorful creations and sometimes even spot the monarch himself out dead-heading the roses or pruning shrubs. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 Because the cost of not pruning is cumulative and easy to miss. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 He was paired with a more experienced colleague and learned through instruction and hands-on practice how to care for pines and azaleas, mainly using a hand-pruning technique essential for the Imperial Palace and villas. — Hiroshige Yazawa Japan News, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026 And one way to ensure this plant keeps producing delicious fruit throughout the season is by pruning. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
  1. shaving
  2. trimming
  3. cutting
  4. clipping
  5. mowing
Verb
  • Try roasting it with olive oil and salt, sautéing it and adding it to a pasta or grain bowl, or shaving it with a vegetable peeler and adding the raw strips to a salad for some crunch.
    — Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 20 July 2026
  • And while the results last much longer than shaving, each session typically takes more time, especially when treating larger areas like the legs.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 17 July 2026
Definition of shaving
Verb
  • Three-year programs typically work by reducing the credit requirement from 120 down to 90 or 100, largely by trimming general education requirements, open electives, and the room for a double major or a semester abroad.
    — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • And trimming too much of this plant can make the tree appear stunted or uneven.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026
Definition of trimming
Verb
  • Seattle kept it close, cutting the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter before Atlanta held firm.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The workshops include all ingredients and participants learn skills such as cutting and folding meats, placement and spacing for jams and honeys.
    — Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of cutting
Verb
  • Miller said his dad used to sit in his firehouse, clipping newspaper stories on dark matter and black holes to send to his son.
    — Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • For your cooking needs, harvest a couple of sprigs at any point during the growing season by clipping away a few branches.
    — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2026
Definition of clipping
Verb
  • Control buttons include Power, Home (which returns the mower to the station), Start (to begin a mowing cycle), and Back (to navigate the menu system).
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • Unlike many apps that accompany smart tech, Anthbot's is made for people who might be setting up their first self-mowing gadget.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pruning

Nglish: Translation of pruning for Spanish Speakers

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