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
At that height, pruning and harvesting barely qualify as chores.
—
Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
Next comes pruning — which usually should start when a tree is about five years old.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
When pruning, make sure to remove any growth that is touching the house.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Proper spacing and pruning improve air circulation and help plants produce more fruit.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 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
Anvil pruners shine when pruning thicker dead wood.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 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
Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
Next comes pruning — which usually should start when a tree is about five years old.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
When pruning, make sure to remove any growth that is touching the house.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Proper spacing and pruning improve air circulation and help plants produce more fruit.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 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
Anvil pruners shine when pruning thicker dead wood.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 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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There have been scores of game-fixing and point-shaving scandals, notably involving the 1950 NCAA champion City College of New York, the 1978–79 Boston College men’s basketball team, and, in the 2000s, Arizona State men’s basketball.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Very often, the home seller and listing agent will ask for a very short timeline, removing the financing contingency (the full loan approval), shaving 10 days from the process with a closing in 21 days.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Oracle Park roared to life in the bottom of the fifth as San Francisco’s offense finally got to Alcantara, trimming the deficit to 8-3 as Drew Gilbert, Eric Haase and Luis Arraez all drove in a run apiece.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Across TikTok, Instagram and group chats, young people are constantly editing themselves, trimming anything that might come off as try-hard, awkward or embarrassing.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vesia surrendered a two-run triple to Swanson and an RBI single to Nico Hoerner, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Part of that includes 'cutting the pond' using machinery to dig through the sand and allow water to flow in and out.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Recently, Kick, the livestreaming platform, published clipping stats from the period of March 5 through April 5.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Jeep crashed into a concrete barrier after clipping the other car, destroying part of the barrier, Adams County Fire Rescue officials said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So, planting carpetgrass instead of traditional turfgrass won't spare you from mowing.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
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The mowing talent just isn't translating to the secretarial side of life.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pruning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pruning. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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