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
With Walt Disney having reduced its channel portfolio in Europe and other entertainment giants also looking at possibly pruning traditional linear channel bouquets, FAST channels could emerge as an alternative.
—
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024
In the brains of children with autism, the process of synaptic pruning slows down during development, leaving their brains with many more synaptic connections that neurotypical peers.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Find all the details for pruning your specific type of spirea here.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2024
Martha, again in the mid-1990s, ably demonstrating the only proper way to prune an unruly tree.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prune 
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024
In the brains of children with autism, the process of synaptic pruning slows down during development, leaving their brains with many more synaptic connections that neurotypical peers.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Find all the details for pruning your specific type of spirea here.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2024
Martha, again in the mid-1990s, ably demonstrating the only proper way to prune an unruly tree.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune
Verb
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Always a giving person, according to his friends and family, Scott had shaved his head to help raise money for childhood cancer research through St. Baldrick’s Foundation.Nicole Gregory, Orange County Register, 19 Nov. 2024
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The post also included images of Stamos shaving his longtime friend’s head and posing with Coulier and his wife Melissa.Liza Esquibias, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
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With the extra attacker out, Fabian Zetterlund scored a power-play goal with 26 seconds left in regulation time to cut the Rangers lead to 3-2, but the Sharks could not find the equalizer.Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
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European countries, meanwhile, have some of the world’s strictest targets to cut emissions by 2030 — but have also secured new gas supplies following Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The new legislative maps trimmed that lean down to 53%, raising questions from Republicans and enthusiasm from Democrats over whether the seat would flip parties under the new maps.Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
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Bath & Body Works recommends trimming the wicks to ¼-inch before lighting, keeping debris out of the wax pool, and setting the candle on a heat-resistant surface for safety.Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Ethan was mowing his new yard when Ro pushed her mower into hers.Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
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Often picking up different kitchen jobs and even trying to mow grass for neighbors around the community.Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near prune
Cite this Entry
“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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