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
Mechanical thinning does much of the work of prescribed burning methodically by hand: cutting down small trees, removing brush, pruning the lower limbs of larger trees so fire can’t climb up into the canopy.
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Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
A little pruning every so often is a healthy part of the process!
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
Our gardenia was beautiful this year but needs a little pruning to restrict growth and round out the plant a little.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2024
Tax-loss harvesting – that is, pruning losing positions in taxable accounts and using them to offset capital gains in other areas of the portfolio – could also be a smart move for investors seeking a silver lining in rocky times, said Queck.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prune 
Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
A little pruning every so often is a healthy part of the process!
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
Our gardenia was beautiful this year but needs a little pruning to restrict growth and round out the plant a little.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2024
Tax-loss harvesting – that is, pruning losing positions in taxable accounts and using them to offset capital gains in other areas of the portfolio – could also be a smart move for investors seeking a silver lining in rocky times, said Queck.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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Smith wagered his hair on it, making a bet with three cadets over the winner with the losing side having to shave their head.Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024
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Buehler had shaved his head to help raise money for childhood cancer research through St. Baldrick’s Foundation.Jen Karmarkar, Orange County Register, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Fed ultimately voted to begin cutting rates in September and again opted to lower rates at its November meeting, just days after the election.Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
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Macy’s — Shares shed less than 1% after the department store chain cut its fiscal-year forecast .Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Malcolm Washington and co-screenwriter Virgil Williams found a way to trim the play while keeping its spirit intact.Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
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What's next: The incoming Trump administration is likely to push the country's federal workforce back into the office — largely as a way to trim headcount.Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But in this small island of habitat, groups of biologists and volunteers mow, mulch and hand-weed to keep the vegetation to the owls’ liking.Mark Degraff, The Mercury News, 14 Dec. 2024
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Many lawn care companies go on an every other week schedule October through February then resume the every week mowing the rest of the year.Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near prune
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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