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
Look for citrus varieties grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf root stock so the citrus tree stays small and doesn’t need to be pruned or re-potted as often.
—
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
In the trim room, workers prune the buds of a new strain called Berry Payton.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025
And city workers pruned trees to improve visibility of signage and traffic signals at MLK.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025
Palm trees with fibrous trunks should be vigorously pruned and stripped of all fibrous tissue.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
In the trim room, workers prune the buds of a new strain called Berry Payton.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025
And city workers pruned trees to improve visibility of signage and traffic signals at MLK.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025
Palm trees with fibrous trunks should be vigorously pruned and stripped of all fibrous tissue.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
-
Elon Musk, meanwhile, lost $11 billion on Thursday, adding to the $99 billion the Tesla CEO has lost this year, and saw 5.5 percent shaved off Tesla’s shares.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2025
-
For comparison, the release estimates that the 2018-19 Trump trade war with China shaved 0.2% off GDP and killed 142,000 jobs.—
Katharina Buchholz,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The mom of one most notably cut her hair in January 2023, debuting a head-turning, blunt bob.—
Dayna Haffenden,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
In March’s Big Spring Sale, Amazon cut the price of Apple AirPods heavily.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
If that’s the case, then trimming current expenses to increase savings should accompany the move to a more conservative portfolio.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Its snug cabin is beautifully trimmed in high-quality materials, and features wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a premium Bowers & Wilkins audio system.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Here's exactly when to start mowing your lawn, depending on your growing conditions and grass type.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Mar. 2025
-
That insulation and humidity retention can improve germination, and the cover can be removed as the new grass approaches mowing height.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share