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
The laterals are pruned so that only two or three bud eyes remain.
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Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
Japanese euonymus are also quite adaptable to large urns and planters outdoors, where they can be pruned to fill out and create formal-looking evergreens.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 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
With their large leaves, hollies look best when they are pruned rather than sheared.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prune 
Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
Japanese euonymus are also quite adaptable to large urns and planters outdoors, where they can be pruned to fill out and create formal-looking evergreens.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 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
With their large leaves, hollies look best when they are pruned rather than sheared.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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The first clip the star shared was of his hair being partially shaved off from behind, then a video of the front of his forehead with a new, marked line indicating where the transplant would be.Bailey Richards, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
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The Biden administration offered 400,000 acres after shaving off one million acres from the original boundaries to avoid areas crucial to the polar bear and Porcupine caribou populations.Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Despite barely being old enough to attend kindergarten, Cole was already cutting his teeth with a game that some have deemed to be the hardest of all time.Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
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Averaging 20 points per game in December was not cutting it.Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Bookings are now open in California, with the Origin trim starting at US$89,900, and the Signature trim at US$102,900.New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Jan. 2025
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The couple can be seen having a blast as Hart took the clippers and started trimming Wilkerson's beard in various ways, eventually splitting it into three long strands.Gil Macias, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ever since people started mowing their lawns, there has been a mountain of excuses for putting it off, like any other chore.Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
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Refrain from mowing on frozen grass It's also recommended to not mow your lawn in the winter if the grass is frozen.Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near prune
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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