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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prune
The Red Sox and Celtics have pruned more than $500 million in salary and tax payments off their books in just the past 2 weeks.
—
Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
Wisteria will need pruning every year, both to control its size and to encourage flowering.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Use sharp garden clippers, loppers, or a small, handheld chainsaw to carefully prune away sections of the vine.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Failure to prune some of those big positions now, and add to underweight sectors, could result in a portfolio that doesn’t reflect your goals and risk appetite.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
Wisteria will need pruning every year, both to control its size and to encourage flowering.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Use sharp garden clippers, loppers, or a small, handheld chainsaw to carefully prune away sections of the vine.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Failure to prune some of those big positions now, and add to underweight sectors, could result in a portfolio that doesn’t reflect your goals and risk appetite.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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July 9 was the first of three days in which a millisecond or more could be shaved off the clock on account of how the moon's position relative to Earth is influencing our planet's rotation.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
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For trial, Black suggested that Alvarez shave his mustache to detract from the officer’s rough-guy image.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
22 July 2025
Verb
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The National Endowment for the Humanities cut the grant this spring.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
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The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Jeannie C. Riley, Connie Smith and the duo of Charlie Louvin and Melba Montgomery were among the acts who cut her songs.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Here, the nailhead trim and traditional striped fabric go hand in hand for a statement yet classic bedroom.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
14 July 2025
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Maybe find ways to trim the bureaucracy and lower taxes.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
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With the abundance of rain and sunshine in the summer, grass can grow at an almost alarming rate, forcing homeowners to mow their lawns frequently.—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
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Pay attention to the weather and wait to mow until the grass has dried and the soil is firm following a rainfall event.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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