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Synonyms

paring

American  
[pair-ing] / ˈpɛər ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that pares.

  2. a piece or part pared off.

    apple parings.
paring British  
/ ˈpɛərɪŋ /

noun

  1. (often plural) something pared or cut off

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of paring

1350–1400; Middle English (gerund); pare, -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tesla’s stock was up as much as 8% on Wednesday before slightly paring gains.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

However, all three coal stocks declined Monday, along with Peabody Energy, paring Iran war gains.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Earlier this month, Fitch Ratings upgraded CK Hutchison’s credit rating, citing progress in paring down debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

But Wall Street seems encouraged that the company is thinking about paring back its staff.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

Increasingly I begin to eliminate whatever does not fit in with it, paring myself down.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.