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
Common Mistakes One of the biggest mistakes, according to Kenins, is making cuts that are too large while pruning.
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Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 July 2026
So, pruning overgrown shrubs and keeping grass mowed will reduce their hiding spots.
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Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
Avoid planting, transplanting, fertilizing, or unnecessary pruning during heat waves.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 June 2026
They are edited, softened, brokered, litigated, sentimentalized, and pruned.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 July 2026
So, pruning overgrown shrubs and keeping grass mowed will reduce their hiding spots.
—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
Avoid planting, transplanting, fertilizing, or unnecessary pruning during heat waves.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 June 2026
They are edited, softened, brokered, litigated, sentimentalized, and pruned.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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The group — which Microsoft , Nvidia , Alphabet , Apple , Meta , Tesla and Amazon — shaved off roughly $2 trillion in market cap, as investors are starting to reassess the investing case for these once unbeatable mega-caps.
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Make sure to freshly shave your cheese for the best results to snack on mid-festivities.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
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Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
Verb
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Miller’s exact dress from Debute London, which features a bustier top, lace trim, and a short hemline, is a great example of the details that turn the trend more contemporary, while still nodding to its nostalgic, charming nature.
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Mow regularly and trim your edges, since ticks lurk in tall grass and brush.
Verb
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Residents, meanwhile, can help the town’s efforts by reducing standing water around their homes, keeping their lawns mowed and trimmed, keeping rain barrels covered or screened, and cleaning their gutters regularly to prevent accumulated water.
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Raise mowing height during dry spells to promote deeper roots and conserve soil moisture.
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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