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
Glovinsky recommends pruning one to two times a year to keep the canopy at a size that's proportional to the tree's container.
—
Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
The open wounds created by pruning make the plant vulnerable to cold.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 9 Feb. 2026
Viburnums bloom on old wood (the previous season’s growth), and by pruning them soon after the bloom, the flower buds have time to develop on newly forming wood.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
Plants maintain an attractive pyramidal form without the need for pruning.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 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
Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
The open wounds created by pruning make the plant vulnerable to cold.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 9 Feb. 2026
Viburnums bloom on old wood (the previous season’s growth), and by pruning them soon after the bloom, the flower buds have time to develop on newly forming wood.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
Plants maintain an attractive pyramidal form without the need for pruning.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 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
-
There wasn’t even a full question asked about the secret project using computer technology aimed at shaving fractions of a second off speedskating times to help the Americans bring home gold medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Some of the same men involved in the NBA case were also indicted earlier this month in what federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania say was a college basketball point-shaving ring.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And that unease is worth keeping in mind for business leaders considering trimming the payroll.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Shut the water while trimming the unwanted hair.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With equal panache, and without cutting away, the narrative focus is handed like a baton in a relay race to the arriving Mayor Dumont (Josse De Pauw) and his daughter and press attaché Marie (Violet Braeckman).—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Legislature should focus on lowering costs by delivering permanent property tax relief, restraining state and local spending, cutting red tape that drives up housing and energy costs, and expanding reliable energy production to keep utilities affordable.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Reviews from most of the out-of-town papers mostly arrived courtesy of the clipping service.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Vonn lost control within moments of leaving the start house, clipping a gate with her right shoulder and pinwheeling down the slope before ending up awkwardly on her back, her skis crisscrossed below her and her screams ringing out soon after medical personnel arrived.—
ANDREW DAMPF,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Keep lawns breathable by removing leaves, mowing before winter, and avoiding foot traffic or snow piles.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Work is seasonal by nature — mowing jobs in summer, snow removal in winter.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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