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
Ahead, experts share simple tips for caring for hoya plants, covering everything from planting to pruning.
—
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Avoid pruning in spring, summer, or fall to prevent cutting off new flowers and stressing the tree.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Hydrangea species vary in their winter hardiness as well as pruning needs.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
When pruning time arrives be kind.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Note that January is the traditional time to start pruning roses and fruit trees in Southern California.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 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
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Avoid pruning in spring, summer, or fall to prevent cutting off new flowers and stressing the tree.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Hydrangea species vary in their winter hardiness as well as pruning needs.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
When pruning time arrives be kind.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Note that January is the traditional time to start pruning roses and fruit trees in Southern California.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pruning
Verb
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Millions of Americans are shaving down their grocery budgets and putting off buying a home as wages fail to meet rising costs of living.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
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Emma Stone Stone kicked off the year with a bang—or, rather, a pixie—after shaving her head for her role in Bugonia.—
Rachel Krause,
Vogue,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Trailing most of the game, Dallas couldn't get a fourth-quarter stop after trimming the deficit to three points with 10 minutes remaining.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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That’s in part by trimming the approval process.—
CalMatters,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2022, debris from an underwater volcanic eruption severed the island's only subsea communication cable, cutting the island off from the rest of the world.—
Magdalena Petrova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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Richard’s motor ran high despite the lopsided score, cutting for two layups and also canning a 3-pointer to put up a quick seven points in the period.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Consumers' Checkbook recommends shopping specials by signing up for free loyalty programs and clipping digital coupons.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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On straight paths, tracking is solid, but switchbacks and dense forests increase the risk of losing sight of the subject—or clipping a tree.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cormican and sheriff’s deputies spent that afternoon traveling back and forth across the lake at about four miles an hour, as if mowing a lawn, pulling the towfish on a cable behind them.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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The gang starts getting creepy, threatening notes right as Ghostface shows up and starts mowing local teens down.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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