How to Use trim in a Sentence

trim

1 of 3 verb
  • The hedges need to be trimmed.
  • They are looking for ways to trim the budget.
  • We trimmed the Christmas tree.
  • Check your plant’s roots and trim away any mushy or brown roots.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Wash the beetroot, trim and pat dry.
    — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 16 May 2026
  • The script is trimmed and polished.
    — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Aim to trim it to about ¼ inch before each burn.
    — Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Last year, that number was trimmed to four.
    — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Don’t forget to keep your trees trimmed as well.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
  • Yeah, at trimming horse hooves, sir.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Yeah, at trimming horse hooves, sir.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Some limbs were trimmed from the large trees that provide shade.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
  • Trees must be trimmed, and there are cups to be filled with cocoa.
    — Curbed, 27 Dec. 2023
  • Instead, trim the stems to the ground and leave the roots in place.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
  • It was passed on to his son, and it was trimmed and bound, preserved.
    — Regina E. Mason, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
  • The score trimmed the Chiefs’ lead to 16-9.
    — Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Eva had trimmed her fringe in the mirror that morning.
    — Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • Always trim tree branches six feet from the ground.
    — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The sides and back of his head were noticeably trimmed.
    — Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026
  • Simply trim back branches to a healthy bud.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
  • After your peonies lose their petals, trim the seed pods.
    — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 4 June 2026
  • Mejia said the trees should only be trimmed once every five years.
    — Simrin Singh, CBS News, 19 July 2023
  • The third round of voting trims the field to four restaurants.
    — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
  • His win trimmed the number of top prizes available in the game to nine.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2024
  • Every piece of chicken is hand-trimmed.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
  • These are not programs that trim themselves.
    — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Ryan can't score after trimming more clock.
    — American-Statesman Staff, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Chicago scored 36 points in the third to trim its deficit to nine points.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2024
  • One time Ada had tried to trim the curly hair that was always in his eyes.
    — Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Once leaves turn completely brown, they cannot be saved and should be trimmed off.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025

trim

2 of 3 adjective
  • She has a trim figure.
  • He keeps fit and trim by biking.
  • While some trees and shrubs can handle a little trim, many cannot this time of year.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The same two trim levels will also give you rear cross-traffic alert.
    — Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 15 Nov. 2022
  • There's a sturdy metal frame, and the bassinet itself has wood trim.
    — Good Housekeeping, 15 Feb. 2023
  • All-wheel drive still adds $2000 to the price of each trim level.
    — Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 17 June 2021
  • Plant, longish-haired and trim, has come into the studio in a plain T-shirt.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Nov. 2021
  • This Macbook boasts a trim design with the features fans love.
    — Chicago Tribune, 11 Oct. 2022
  • The engine is weak for a car that is in every other way the very top of the trim ladder.
    — Kyle Edward, Forbes, 25 June 2021
  • Fringing and trim–ideally both at once–are always a good idea.
    — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The cut is trim and short, so consider sizing up to wear it with more than a base layer.
    — Outside Online, 27 May 2022
  • To keep plants looking trim, cut boxwood branches back to a leaf node using sharp pruners.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025
  • The air vents and some trim pieces have also been redesigned, while the gear knob has been replaced by a small lever.
    — Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 17 May 2022
  • The trim, moldings and doors in the dining room, parlor and front hall are quarter-sawn oak.
    — Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 25 May 2023
  • Just snip away dead, damaged, or diseased branches to keep these shrubs looking trim.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
  • Pair your fur-trim coat with black jeans, boots, and a designer bag, then add a few key accessories.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Range is as much as 312 miles, depending on trim level.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
  • Lisa selected windows with a black finish and painted the trim dark gray to frame the scenery.
    — Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
  • In addition to the two different pack sizes, there are four trim levels to choose from.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 12 May 2022
  • There are just two trim levels on offer – Advance and Evolve.
    — James Morris, Forbes, 2 July 2022
  • The collar, trim, and heel pull tab are real suede, for a more elevated look and feel.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2023
  • Use these tips to select a trim color that will showcase walls and add a finishing touch to your space.
    — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Nov. 2023
  • Black appears on the doors, trim, and picture frames to inject a modern edge to the soft palette.
    — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Mar. 2022
  • Refrigerate, then flip the lattice onto the top of the pie, trim, and crimp when ready to bake.
    — Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2023
  • Both looks are in the same color, both have white trim, and even has similar pocket details.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 13 June 2026
  • Nine sled dogs live in trim dog houses in the middle of their compound and yip and howl with glee when humans approach.
    — Kate Siber, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2022
  • Nearly every automaker has some off-road variant or trim.
    — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • For an outside mount, do the same thing, just measure from the outside of the trim pieces from left to right and from top to bottom.
    — Katy Spratte Joyce, ELLE Decor, 5 Sep. 2023
  • New top-trim exterior bling includes 20-inch wheels, a two-tone roof and splash guards.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
  • What to Consider There are only two trim colors to choose from.
    — Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023

trim

3 of 3 noun
  • Hot-glue the trim to the edges.
    — Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2026
  • Just grab some trim and get sewing.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Don’t risk killing your plants for a neat trim.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The shoes are made from polyester with a lamb leather trim.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The guest list is getting a trim, too.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Our next move in this stock is likely a trim.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • All trim levels get open pore wood trim.
    — Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Choose from birch or walnut trim.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Make your fur-trim coat the star of your outfit.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Her heels featured a trim along the topline of the shoe.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The ribbed trim and longer sleeves add a dose of structure.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
  • If the long trails get too leggy, give the vines a quick trim.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
  • Read on and trim coils, kinks, waves, and curls the right way, while at home.
    — Akili King, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2023
  • Coats are decked in fur, some all over and others just the trim.
    — Renée Reardin, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026
  • The body and all of its trim are finished in—what else—gloss black.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That trim jumps to $65,000 to start.
    — Sasha Lekach, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Both these trims are pretty simple electrics at their core.
    — New Atlas, 20 Jan. 2026
  • Higher-spec trims quickly drive up the cost.
    — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 26 June 2026
  • Discover the best and worst times of day to give grass a trim.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • Discover the best and worst times of day to give grass a trim.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Toyota's small car comes in three gas and three hybrid trims.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The first section of the play needs trims and the ending feels rushed.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Swift wore a sheer black long sleeve with green trim and pink and purple roses.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2023
  • Ditto for Reem Acra’s takes with fur trim.
    — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The Scout Terra’s unique hemp wood trim.
    — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Keep scrolling for 10 chic ways to style fur-trim coats this season.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Give tired herbs a good trim, forcing a flush of new growth for harvest next month.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Her favorite way to elevate a room with trim?
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Upper trims are a bit taller depending on the trim.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 June 2026
  • Her royal blue sleeveless crop top matched the trim on her skirt, which hit just above the knee.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 23 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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