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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ripening
Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
During ripening, bananas naturally produce ethylene gas, a plant hormone that helps convert starches into sugars, softens the texture, and deepens the color of the bananas.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Brining stops the ripening process, keeping the cheese fresh and flavorful.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
Keep ripe peaches in the refrigerator (up to five days) to slow ripening.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Mazzei explains that Il Caggio features a combination of factors ideal for Sangiovese, including altitudes between 1,050 and 1,150 feet, which ensure balanced ripening, and deep and well-drained clay, schist, and calcareous marl soils dotted with a type of sandstone that imparts intense minerality.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
This process, known as Ostwald ripening, involves smaller structures dissolving and redepositing onto larger ones.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
This is the time of year for leaves crunching underfoot and the ripening of rosehips.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2025
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
These fruits give off ethylene, a natural ripening hormone.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
This slows down the release of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Hot sunny summer days, cool nights, and the Columbia, Snake, Walla Walla, and Yakima rivers provide an ideal environment for ripening grapes to perfection.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
Cold temperatures stall ripening by inhibiting the enzymes needed to convert starches into sugars.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Peach trees are known to produce so much fruit that branches break under the weight of ripening peaches.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
The fruit of Dipteryx odorata resembles a small mango, ripening from a dark green into yellow and mahogany, colors that indicate the final stage of maturity.
—JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2025
While ripening, antioxidants give the fruit its red color.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Refrigeration slows pear ripening, while room temperature and exposure to ethylene-producing fruits help speed it up.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
During ripening, bananas naturally produce ethylene gas, a plant hormone that helps convert starches into sugars, softens the texture, and deepens the color of the bananas.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Brining stops the ripening process, keeping the cheese fresh and flavorful.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
Keep ripe peaches in the refrigerator (up to five days) to slow ripening.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Mazzei explains that Il Caggio features a combination of factors ideal for Sangiovese, including altitudes between 1,050 and 1,150 feet, which ensure balanced ripening, and deep and well-drained clay, schist, and calcareous marl soils dotted with a type of sandstone that imparts intense minerality.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
This process, known as Ostwald ripening, involves smaller structures dissolving and redepositing onto larger ones.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
This is the time of year for leaves crunching underfoot and the ripening of rosehips.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
By later in March, expect a gentle rain of goodness to begin to fall in your life, ripening seeds of love, family growth, fame and clarity.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
These fruits give off ethylene, a natural ripening hormone.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
This slows down the release of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Hot sunny summer days, cool nights, and the Columbia, Snake, Walla Walla, and Yakima rivers provide an ideal environment for ripening grapes to perfection.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
Cold temperatures stall ripening by inhibiting the enzymes needed to convert starches into sugars.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Peach trees are known to produce so much fruit that branches break under the weight of ripening peaches.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
The fruit of Dipteryx odorata resembles a small mango, ripening from a dark green into yellow and mahogany, colors that indicate the final stage of maturity.
—JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2025
While ripening, antioxidants give the fruit its red color.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
While low light levels trigger flowering, fertilizing Christmas cactus at the right time and in the right way is key for getting your plant to bloom like never before.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The plant in question actually consists of 70 Jurupa oak (Quercus palmeri) stem clusters, only three feet tall, that stand together as a flowering, non-acorn producing clonal colony in the form of a thicket, 82 feet long by 26 feet wide, estimated to be at least 13,000 years old.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The companies say the design addresses a growing challenge in autonomous vehicle interiors, where traditional steering systems become unnecessary and restrict cabin space.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The vines climb to about 6 feet tall, growing vigorously even through summer heat.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Brands latest portrait follows Washington from early life through his maturation as a general and leader, and situates the first president among his many allies and rivals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The former means that more surface area of the whiskey is exposed to wood, and the latter means the maturation process is accelerated as the liquid expands during periods of intense heat into the pores of the barrels.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Key Takeaways The rate of progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) can vary, with many people remaining stable for decades and others progressing rapidly to kidney failure.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Work was progressing as expected until the TBM catastrophically failed.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
David Dow and Tamara Weitzman are the development producers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
From building new pipelines and treatment facilities to replacing aging infrastructure, these projects will benefit thousands of families, boost fire protection, and support economic growth.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Yellin noted that she's hosted charity events at Mar-a-Lago and focuses her events on raising money for trafficked women and children, aging-out foster children, cancer patients and veterans.—
Janelle Ash , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But there is also single malt whisky being made specifically in England, with estimates of more than a billion dollars worth of casks currently maturing there and an impending geographical indication for the category.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Both have played a key role in maturing Thunderbird habitat and laboratory concepts.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Microsoft said the initiative reflects its belief that AI infrastructure can succeed only if surrounding communities benefit alongside technological growth.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In 2021, rent growth in Boise topped out about 30% year-over-year, Warnock said.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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