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
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
High temperatures can slow ripening, and the fruits can get sunscald.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Natural yeasts ferment fruit during the ripening process, according to a study in Oxford Academic.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The rain and cool weather have meant slow ripening, but also (seemingly) faster spoilage.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 12 May 2026
Avoid storing cauliflower next to produce that produce ethylene gas (such as apples, melons, peaches, plums, pears, or mangoes), which will speed up the ripening (and eventual rotting) process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
That said, there are challenges with the fruit's uneven ripening window, shelf life and sensitivity to bruising.
—New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
How Microwaving Affects the Avocado The microwave method is considered an emergency softening shortcut, not a true ripening technique.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
That's because several fruits like apples, bananas, avocados, and tomatoes produce ethylene gas, a ripening hormone.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Netting Most experts agree that netting is the most effective way to physically prevent birds from eating your berries or ripening fruit harvest.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 May 2026
However, the capsaicin content of peppers doesn’t increase at a steady rate during the pepper-ripening process.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
The 2021 growing season was cooler than average with maturation and ripening less harried than usual.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024
Certain Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Enzymes in fruits and vegetables promote chemical reactions, such as ripening.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
Some items wilt quickly without moisture, while others spoil with too much moisture or natural ripening gases.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
High temperatures can slow ripening, and the fruits can get sunscald.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Natural yeasts ferment fruit during the ripening process, according to a study in Oxford Academic.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The rain and cool weather have meant slow ripening, but also (seemingly) faster spoilage.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 12 May 2026
Avoid storing cauliflower next to produce that produce ethylene gas (such as apples, melons, peaches, plums, pears, or mangoes), which will speed up the ripening (and eventual rotting) process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
That said, there are challenges with the fruit's uneven ripening window, shelf life and sensitivity to bruising.
—New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
An overripe berry can accelerate ripening in the fruit it is being stored with.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
How Microwaving Affects the Avocado The microwave method is considered an emergency softening shortcut, not a true ripening technique.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
That's because several fruits like apples, bananas, avocados, and tomatoes produce ethylene gas, a ripening hormone.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Netting Most experts agree that netting is the most effective way to physically prevent birds from eating your berries or ripening fruit harvest.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 May 2026
However, the capsaicin content of peppers doesn’t increase at a steady rate during the pepper-ripening process.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
The 2021 growing season was cooler than average with maturation and ripening less harried than usual.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024
Certain Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Enzymes in fruits and vegetables promote chemical reactions, such as ripening.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
The two could be seen posing together in front of a flowering rose bush.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
There will be a display of drought-resistant flowering bromeliads from members’ collections and vendors.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The same crowd booed when council members mentioned the growing popularity of artificial intelligence.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
Japan has long been battling a growing bear problem with deadly attacks reached record levels last fall.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, told CNN the new facility reveals a maturation and scaling of North Korea’s nuclear program.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
According to the distillery, Master Blender Adam Hannett designed the maturation profile as a nod to the original release, using 75% first-fill bourbon barrels alongside 25% first- and second-fill French red wine casks.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Early signs such as fever or weakness can resemble other viruses, before progressing to diarrhea and vomiting.—
Jane Weaver,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
The device provides physicians the ability to remotely listen to lung sounds and rapidly assess if a child’s asthma symptoms are progressing, so that escalation in care pathways can be determined.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Hilton wants to restore California’s competitive edge as a place for productions by creating financial incentives for film productions, cover the initial and technical costs associated with the development of a film or television project and reserve funding for independent and mid-budget projects.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Several of the advanced weapons systems the battleships are intended to field remain in development; the Navy hasn’t yet shown they can be integrated successfully onto a ship.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet about half of men now live into their 80s, and those who are wealthier and better-educated tend to live the longest said Steven Austad, a professor at The University of Alabama at Birmingham who is an expert on aging.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
The tequila spends its first two and a half years aging in American oak, and then a final six months in French Chardonnay barrels.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The multilingual avatar can advise on what to do when your bank certificates of deposit are maturing, for example, or how to manage your children’s college fund.—
Meg Short,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
In essence, the medium is maturing to offer a business model in its own right.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
It wasn’t paid advertising or viral fame that catapulted her success—Sheehan credits her growth to word-of-mouth buzz.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
Wage growth for blue-collar workers in China has outpaced that of their white-collar peers for six consecutive years, in a sign of the country’s booming gig economy.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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