ripe

adjective

ˈrīp How to pronounce ripe (audio)
Definition of ripenext
1
as in matured
fully grown or developed a ripe tomato

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell the clothes of the field hands were sweaty and ripe after a hard day's work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 ripe The exterior paint color was reportedly inspired by shiny ripe eggplants that Lingenbrink picked up at his local farmers’ market. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026 Peak season shifts by region, so what is ripe in Georgia in June may not hit stands in Michigan until August. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026 Returning favorite scents that are ripe for the upcoming fall season include Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie, Apple Cider Caramel and Pecan Buttercrunch, as well as winter scents like Snickerdoodle and Winter Berry. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Store bananas at room temperature to ripen, then refrigerate them once ripe to slow browning and extend freshness. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ripe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripe
  1. matured
  2. stinking
  3. mature
  4. foul
  5. strong
  6. rotted
  7. rotten
  8. disgusting
Adjective
  • Think of this as the matured version of the Kool-Aid dip-dye technique.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of matured
Adjective
  • America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.
    — Mary Ellen Klas, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
  • Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • Shop her lightweight, mature skin-friendly makeup favorites from Saie, Westman Atelier, Sweed, Sarah Creal, and more.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The property is perched high on a corner parcel with privacy enhanced by mature trees.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of mature
Adjective
  • On the floor were six cots and a couple of mattresses, stained and foul-smelling.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Murakami's lofted his team-leading 26th homer off the left-field foul pole off Williams with one out in the sixth, cutting it to 2-1.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • Indonesia’s Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency said August and September are expected to be the most critical months as dry vegetation and strong winds create favorable conditions for fires to spread rapidly.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For someone who is dogmatic, or has a strong commitment to evangelism, this may not be satisfactory.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Inspect fences and perform any repairs or maintenance, such as reinforcing posts or replacing rotted sections.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
  • Many grapes become too rotted and are left to wither away.
    — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of rotted
Adjective
  • The meeting comes after Lineage Logistics, which operates the 500,000-square-foot facility, has already been cited by AQMD officials for the rotten odor.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The veal barn had a smell Birdie had never smelled anywhere else—antiseptic, then sweet like a flower and rotten like manure.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotten
Adjective
  • To interrogate Fauci now, for absolutely no coherent reason and completely without sense, is shameful and disgusting.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The left's most hated author — JK Rowling — has dropped the hammer on the disgusting things that took place at the Indiana Fever-Seattle Storm game earlier this week.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of disgusting

Browse Nearby Words

rip
ripe
ripen
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on ripe

Nglish: Translation of ripe for Spanish Speakers

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