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
Why to Prune Viburnums Viburnums seldom need pruning other than to remove damaged, diseased, and dead branches, or sucker shoots that grow straight up from the roots but don’t flower.
—
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
The answer is found in the brilliant reddish bronze of its new foliage, visible throughout the year but especially following pruning, when rapid and significant regrowth results in lots of fiery foliage.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Prevent damage by choosing resilient varieties, pruning properly, watering well, and mulching before winter.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 31 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
Just as pruning stimulates new plant growth, releasing what no longer serves us creates space for fresh opportunities.
—Jennifer Kamara, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
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
The answer is found in the brilliant reddish bronze of its new foliage, visible throughout the year but especially following pruning, when rapid and significant regrowth results in lots of fiery foliage.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Prevent damage by choosing resilient varieties, pruning properly, watering well, and mulching before winter.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 31 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
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
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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
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The administration has framed trimming the agency’s headcount as a move towards modernity and higher efficiency.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In the 2025 session, lawmakers made billions of dollars in cuts, trimming the state budget from $72 billion to roughly $67 billion.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If the opportunity to sell Romero arises in the summer, Spurs should seriously consider cutting their losses and reinvesting the money in a more reliable defender.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Local reports said Ukrainian missiles hit a power plant and an electrical substation, cutting power to parts of the city.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reviews from most of the out-of-town papers mostly arrived courtesy of the clipping service.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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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
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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 14 Feb. 2026.
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