as in to shave
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 prune
The most common reason people prune their pothos is that the vines get too long.
—
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026
Learn proper tree pruning from the Public Works staff and get information about the garden club, as well as the Wellington Art Society and Wellington Tree Board.
—Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2026
Have the extra margarita, check out that smutty beach read (or three!), give yourself an extra hour to nap in the hammock, and swim until your fingers prune.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Apr. 2026
And how can people survive—maintain dignity, human connection, all of that—in a world where decision makers driven by dollar signs are pruning the trees for every possible efficiency?
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026
Learn proper tree pruning from the Public Works staff and get information about the garden club, as well as the Wellington Art Society and Wellington Tree Board.
—Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2026
Have the extra margarita, check out that smutty beach read (or three!), give yourself an extra hour to nap in the hammock, and swim until your fingers prune.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Apr. 2026
And how can people survive—maintain dignity, human connection, all of that—in a world where decision makers driven by dollar signs are pruning the trees for every possible efficiency?
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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Reiner, with his head shaved and a scruffy goatee, wore a yellow prison top with blue prison pants.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Based on the physical locations of Burlington’s stores and vendors near the distribution center, the company expects to shave some freight costs relative to sales, said Kristin Wolfe, chief financial officer of Burlington Stores, during an earnings call on March 5.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the Broncos cut Greenlaw, the 49ers wasted no time in bringing him back to pair with middle linebacker Fred Warner in hopes of reviving one of the NFL’s top linebacker tandems.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen cut their teeth as part of the Rams organization, learning from GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Regularly trim ground cover plants around trees.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
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Revisions also have trimmed 69,000 jobs from December and January payrolls, a sign that the labor market remains under strain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Avoid mowing with dull blades; sharpen frequently.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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The city plans to create a park on the property and mow a trail through the prairie and woods for walking.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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