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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prune
The laterals are pruned so that only two or three bud eyes remain.
—
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
-
Planners say it’s expected to shave 12 minutes off travel times for buses and commuters and five minutes for others.—
Adrian Rodriguez,
The Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2025
-
And while Clay may face a battle to expand its use cases within a larger organization, companies that start shaving several percentage points off of their operating expenses will be difficult to pull away from Clay, said Meritech’s Alex Kurland, who led the new funding round.—
Alex Konrad,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Giants starter Jason Pinnock was cut while playing under Manuel for the Jets in 2021.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Each student will receive a collection of cut flower seeds for the Spring season.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Razorbacks trimmed the MU lead to 12 on the back of a 6-0 run in the early minutes of the second half.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
19 Jan. 2025
-
The walls are trimmed in cinderblock to protect from flaming debris blowing up against the seam where wall meets ground.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share