as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
The region now routinely hits the 180-day threshold needed to ripen vinifera vines (the type of grapevine that produces 90 percent of the world’s wine).
—
Alexandra Gillespie, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025
The warm days help ripen the grapes, while cool nights preserve acidity and freshness.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Then, increasing temperatures can ripen the fruit quickly which can make an already short growing season shorter and less predictable.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
This method slows down the release of ethylene gas, which is responsible for ripening fruits.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Alexandra Gillespie, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025
The warm days help ripen the grapes, while cool nights preserve acidity and freshness.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Then, increasing temperatures can ripen the fruit quickly which can make an already short growing season shorter and less predictable.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
This method slows down the release of ethylene gas, which is responsible for ripening fruits.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripen
Verb
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And while Disney frequently has strayed outside of Anaheim – building theme parks in places like Florida and France and China – it’s also continued to grow locally.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
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As Trump continues shrinking the government, leaving room for the private economy to grow, folks will work, spend, save and invest more, and things will keep improving — including people’s expectations.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The ship’s construction began in February 2023 with steel cutting and then progressed with the keel laying in December 2023.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
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More serious conditions like infection can also occur if contaminated water enters small cuts or open wounds in the skin, and can progress to sepsis if left untreated.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripen. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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