as in cutting
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
pared the stray branches on the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paring
Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Using sharp paring knife, cut four 1 1/2-inch long slits in top of dough (think of a clock for slit placement at 12,3,6,9 positions).
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
But this is true in general of steak knives (as well as paring knives).
—Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paring
Noun
This 13-piece knife set has six handy blades, including a large chef’s knife for chopping and a paring blade for smaller slices.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Using sharp paring knife, cut four 1 1/2-inch long slits in top of dough (think of a clock for slit placement at 12,3,6,9 positions).
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Building new housing, paring back regulations to allow such construction quickly and to reduce the cost of buy a home, disincentivizing private firms from buying homes and reducing gas prices are among topics candidates frequently speak about on the campaign trail and in debates.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
But this is true in general of steak knives (as well as paring knives).
—Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paring
Noun
-
Love the leg-shaving reference.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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Fans making outrageous public bets on social media — shaving heads, getting tattoos, eating bizarre foods — has become its own genre of internet content.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Huston’s come a long way from cutting hair near 87th Street and Wornall Road.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The rise of clipping, says Schwartz, has leveled the promotional playing field as the record business is in the midst of a larger post-streaming transformation.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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According to Myers’s new book William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story, after William and Kate were nonchalant about everything, staff turned to historical clippings for inspiration on what to do.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Officials will spend months trimming, adding to and massaging the financial books to address residents’ priorities.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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In 2018, seventeen-year-old landscaper Alex Childress was rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns on his face after unknowingly trimming giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Unlike typical wooden options, this one offers much easier maintenance thanks to its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) build that won’t require repainting nor leave you with pesky splinters.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2026
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Injuries range from mouth splinters and choking to bowel blockages, eye damage, wounds, infections, or even sticks penetrating the body; vets have treated severe cases, some fatal.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The problem is that funds marketed to retail investors allow just that, offering them the chance to take out a sliver of their money on a quarterly or monthly basis.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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But with Friday’s 131-113 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Bulls were officially eliminated from postseason contention, removing the last sliver of competition from the final two-week stretch of the season.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paring. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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