as in flowering
the process of becoming mature
the ripening of a pumpkin can take a whole season
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in growing
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of ripening
New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
When certain fresh foods are stored close together, ethylene can speed up the ripening—and spoilage—process.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Fortunately, a few simple storage methods can help extend their shelf life and slow the ripening process.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The pears, whose ripening has been slowed or stopped, create pressure on demand for California pears that begin to come into season in July.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Considered a classic example of an excellent season by many winemakers, 2022 had a dry winter and warm spring, which limited vine growth and resulted in small but very concentrated grapes, followed by a relatively mild autumn that allowed for ideal ripening conditions and a relaxed harvest.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
The region’s breeze, combined with warm days and cool nights, slows the grape ripening process and allows the grapes to retain their freshness on the vine.
—Nicole Findlay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Some tricks to slow down ripening and prevent bruising include separating bananas from the bunch, hanging them from a hook, and wrapping their stems in plastic wrap to prevent the release of ethylene gas.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Tiny fruit flies come in from outside, attracted to ripening produce on your kitchen counter, or they may be brought in on infested fruit.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
This slows the release of ethylene and helps delay ripening, and extends their shelf life by a few days.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Insects that lay eggs in the fruits are going to get a late start, so especially early ripening peaches may be insect free.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
However, the pears being imported from Argentina are being treated with a gas called 1-MCP, that slows ripening by blocking ethylene receptors in the fruit.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Avoid placing the bulbs near fruit, as ripening fruit can accelerate sprouting.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Forged in a sunny, warm summer with even temperatures and no excessive heat spikes, grapes benefited from even ripening and a relaxed harvest that yielded a relatively modest crop noted for concentrated, flavorful, small grapes.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
That said, there are challenges with the fruit's uneven ripening window, shelf life and sensitivity to bruising.
—New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
When certain fresh foods are stored close together, ethylene can speed up the ripening—and spoilage—process.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Fortunately, a few simple storage methods can help extend their shelf life and slow the ripening process.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The pears, whose ripening has been slowed or stopped, create pressure on demand for California pears that begin to come into season in July.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Considered a classic example of an excellent season by many winemakers, 2022 had a dry winter and warm spring, which limited vine growth and resulted in small but very concentrated grapes, followed by a relatively mild autumn that allowed for ideal ripening conditions and a relaxed harvest.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
The region’s breeze, combined with warm days and cool nights, slows the grape ripening process and allows the grapes to retain their freshness on the vine.
—Nicole Findlay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
For example, serviceberries provide spring-ripening fruit, red-twig dogwoods provide summer fruit, while hawthorns and crabapples provide fruit in fall and winter.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Some tricks to slow down ripening and prevent bruising include separating bananas from the bunch, hanging them from a hook, and wrapping their stems in plastic wrap to prevent the release of ethylene gas.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Tiny fruit flies come in from outside, attracted to ripening produce on your kitchen counter, or they may be brought in on infested fruit.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
This slows the release of ethylene and helps delay ripening, and extends their shelf life by a few days.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Insects that lay eggs in the fruits are going to get a late start, so especially early ripening peaches may be insect free.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
However, the pears being imported from Argentina are being treated with a gas called 1-MCP, that slows ripening by blocking ethylene receptors in the fruit.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Avoid placing the bulbs near fruit, as ripening fruit can accelerate sprouting.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Forged in a sunny, warm summer with even temperatures and no excessive heat spikes, grapes benefited from even ripening and a relaxed harvest that yielded a relatively modest crop noted for concentrated, flavorful, small grapes.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
Will cutting bouquets to bring indoors affect the flowering of the plants?—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and pumpkins need more frequent watering during flowering and while developing fruit.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rising energy costs and supply-chain disruptions pose a considerable downside risk to the world's fastest-growing major economy.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Brown pointed to ongoing concerns in his district about road capacity and infrastructure needs, including efforts to expand NC 160 in the fast-growing Steele Creek area.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Padres and Tatis, now 27 years old, have been talking about his maturation process for a while.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Quietly, though, the potential for this move has always lingered in his background, from his very bloodline to his maturation as a prospect.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After birth, human beings undergo infant and toddler development, moving on to child development before progressing to puberty and adolescence on the way to adulthood.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Times analysis showed that both communities were still progressing well behind the pace of Santa Rosa after the 2017 Tubbs fire, with about half as many permits issued in the Palisades as a percentage of those burned and two-thirds in Altadena in the same period.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rookie Hugo Gonzalez did not enter until garbage time for the second straight game — a notable development as Mazzulla works to finalize his playoff rotation.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Her development will be key to improving Missouri’s depth next season.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His reelection in 2025 sparked widespread protests that left at least four people dead, signaling growing tensions between the mostly young population and its aging leader.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
About two-thirds of the nation’s estimated $7 trillion in annual spending covers the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs, as well as Social Security income, which are essentially growing — along with an aging population — on autopilot.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a maturing market where differentiation is increasingly difficult, deep knowledge of a specific high-loyalty demographic is a competitive advantage.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Yes, margins are somewhat better, but not enough to justify an almost 12-point P/E premium if the lodging cycle is maturing.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yang is part of a generation of workers that powered China's growth by digging coal from underground mines in Datong, a city known as China's coal capital in the northern province of Shanxi.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
By examining brain tissue removed in such surgeries, a team led by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital has identified mutations in genes that control the growth of neurons, including one affecting an enzyme that is important in cell proliferation.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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