Synonyms of ripening

ripening 1 of 2

noun

as in flowering

the process of becoming mature

the ripening of a pumpkin can take a whole season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flowering
• maturation
• development
• maturing
• growth
• evolution
• progression
• blossoming
• softening
• flourishing
• maturity
• mellowing
• evolvement
• expansion
• coming-of-age

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decay
• deterioration
• degeneration
• declining
• decline
• decaying
• descent
• decadence
• wilting
• fading
• declension
• waning
• withering
• death
• end
• demise
• expiration
• shriveling
• exit
• dying
• perishing
• decease
• regression
• expiry
• reversion
• ebbing
• retrogression
• expiring

ripening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ripen

as in growing

to become mature

pears ripening on the tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• growing
• progressing
• aging
• maturing
• developing
• growing up
• flowering
• blooming
• blossoming
• softening
• evolving
• flourishing
• mellowing
• burgeoning
• unfolding
• opening
• graying
• advancing
• getting along
• getting on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drying
• declining
• deteriorating
• decaying
• worsening
• degenerating
• sinking
• drooping
• waning
• fading
• weakening
• sagging
• withering
• wasting (away)
• flagging
• shriveling
• returning
• wilting
• reverting
• regressing
• lapsing
• retrogressing
• backsliding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ripening

Noun

In-season shopping reduces reliance on energy-intensive greenhouses, long-haul freight and artificial ripening. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

In-season shopping also leans less on energy-intensive greenhouses and artificial ripening, both of which drive up a food’s carbon footprint. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026

Underripe fruit should be stored at room temperature, either on the windowsill (direct sunlight will aid in ripening) or in a closed paper bag. — Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026

Storing the guava in the refrigerator will lengthen the ripening by an additional week or two. — Su-Jit Lin, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026

In fact, anything decaying or ripening is fair game for a slug or snail. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 7 July 2026

The condition can disrupt the fruit's normal ripening process, leaving bananas green or greenish-yellow even after extended periods of time. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

The flavor can change and any further ripening is halted in its tracks. — Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 19 June 2026

And as wine regions around the world search for varieties capable of maintaining freshness and balance in warmer conditions, Caíño Blanco's combination of naturally high acidity, late ripening, and climate resilience may prove more valuable than ever. — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Verb

But hotter springs and summers are accelerating the grape-ripening process, creating more sugary fruit and narrowing the optimum picking window for Champagne. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Leave them on your counter for a few days to finish ripening. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

Separate bananas, wrap their stems, and keep them away from other fruits to delay ripening and preserve quality. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026

This is a problem when grapes enter the ripening phase known as veraison, which many of Bordeaux’s grapes are currently experiencing. — Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026

Fruit is ripening about three to four weeks ahead of schedule. — Lizzie Kane july 24, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Between summer heat, sporadic rainfall, vacations and inconsistent watering, some of us are noticing black sunken patches on the blossom end (bottoms) of our 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