as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
Without sun, the fruits will not ripen, and the plants will be stressed.
—
Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 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
During late summer, the food forest is filled with ripening fruit — red currants, apples, plums, and apricots.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 21 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
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 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
During late summer, the food forest is filled with ripening fruit — red currants, apples, plums, and apricots.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 21 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
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripen
Verb
-
Finding the right adviser could make finances grow.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Polish patiently, so steady practice grows your confidence.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The project has also progressed at an unusually rapid pace for American nuclear development.—
David Szondy
March 08,
New Atlas,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the Legislature has moved slowly on many bills, with some debated at length and progressing through one chamber only to be stalled in the other.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripen. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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