Synonyms of ripen

ripen

verb

ˈrī-pən 

as in to grow

to become mature

pears ripening on the tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grow
• progress
• develop
• mature
• grow up
• age
• bloom
• flower
• soften
• evolve
• blossom
• flourish
• mellow
• open
• unfold
• gray
• burgeon
• get on
• get along
• advance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deteriorate
• decay
• worsen
• decline
• sink
• dry
• degenerate
• wilt
• shrivel
• weaken
• fade
• wither
• wane
• waste (away)
• sag
• revert
• flag
• return
• droop
• regress
• lapse
• retrogress
• backslide

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ripen

Tomatoes should be producing lots of blossoms by now with the earlier varieties offering ripening fruit. — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

The lush tomatoes of summer are ripening, perhaps even overflowing, in your garden. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 18 July 2026

Small, fast-ripening varieties like cherry tomatoes are also more reliable in hot weather than large beefsteak tomato types. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Many of the black olives sold in cans throughout North America are not naturally tree-ripened. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 July 2026