PRUNE Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

prune

verb

Definition of prune

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 Natural treatments include pruning affected areas, spraying with water, applying rubbing alcohol, or using horticultural oils. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2026 Signs pothos needs pruning include the vines are too long, the plant puts out fewer leaves, or the leaves are turning yellow. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026 Beyond this zone, vegetation should be pruned, thinned and adequately spaced to avoid flames easily spreading. — John Abatzoglou, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 Airlines pruned schedules this year, which can mean fewer flights per day or week on a certain route. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prune

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prune

Verb

With competition so fierce in the race to build and release the latest AI models however, the expediency of shaving off every possible drag on speed trumps all.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Kath is competitive only about things that matter, like logging steps or shaving her legs, and the game had no bearing on her reality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of shave

Verb

However, a dangerous push to cut these crucial programs, especially in Africa, risks repeating past errors and ceding influence to competitors.

— James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Sears carried it wide, cut inside center-back Rafaelle, and fired past Moorhouse for the goal.

— Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

Use sharp tools to trim blooms close to the stalk and avoid cutting off buds.

— Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
Haskell's team is also staying high in quality and coupons, trimming lower-coupon exposures in favor of those that are upward of 5% that the firm thinks are better poised to handle periods of market uncertainty.

— Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of trim

Verb

In the face of all this, why not find a boy from your hometown who makes good money mowing lawns or building homes or doing some other AI-proof work?

— Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
Another approach is to surround a tree with a planting of a ground cover that doesn’t need to be mowed or trimmed.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of mow

Browse Nearby Words

prudishness

prune

pruned

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prune. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prune

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on prune

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vacuous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes