RIPENING Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

ripening 1 of 2

noun

as in flowering

the process of becoming mature the ripening of a pumpkin can take a whole season

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ripening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ripen

as in growing

to become mature pears ripening on the tree

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ripening

Noun

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 Sani says the very long and gentle ripening season allowed the grapes to achieve excellent phenolic maturity while preserving freshness, balance, and aromatic complexity. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 14 June 2026 This also means better tomato ripening and a better yield. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 12 June 2026 High temperatures can slow ripening, and the fruits can get sunscald. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026 The rain and cool weather have meant slow ripening, but also (seemingly) faster spoilage. — Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 12 May 2026

Verb

The Science Behind This Tip Fruit flies are attracted to the smell of ripening fruit and decomposing produce. — Christine Fiorentino, Southern Living, 19 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 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 Apples and blackberries are a quintessential flavor pairing during the shoulder season when the summer is beginning to wind down, wild blackberries are ripening, and early apples are being harvested. — Anna Kovel, Martha Stewart, 10 July 2026 Unlike Napa's warmer northern appellations, Frank Family's Chardonnay program is anchored in the cool-climate Carneros AVA, where fog from San Pablo Bay slows ripening and helps grapes retain bright natural acidity. — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 His Fieramonte Amarone Classico Riserva DOCG hails from a 1,361-foot-high vineyard, which benefits from optimal morning sun, constant air circulation, and pronounced day-to-night temperature variation during the ripening season. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 28 June 2026 Temperatures below that range can damage the fruit and interfere with the ripening process. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening

Noun

For tired flowering annuals, a more substantial mid-season trim can be rejuvenating and help extend the growing period.

— Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 22 July 2026
Peace lily The peace lily may be one of the most common flowering houseplants around, but this tranquil botanical with tropical origins is anything but boring.

— Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026

Definition of flowering

Verb

Gulf states are looking on with growing apprehension as the conflict between Iran and the US escalates again.

— Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Instacart also said the fast-growing brands are mostly premium, better-for-you pints, including Alec's Ice Cream, Rebel, Straus Family Creamery and Van Leeuwen.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of growing

Noun

For the film’s cast, including Locke, Connor, Walser, Yasmin Finney, Will Gao, Kizzy Edgell, Corinna Brown, Rhea Norwood and Tobie Donovan, the experience of making Heartstopper Forever has buoyed the story’s own maturation.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Many secondary maturations are tried and true—think wine, sherry, or rum barrels.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 July 2026

Definition of maturation

Verb

Leipzig’s playing style is about ball progression — similar to the mentality preferred by Glasner at Palace — and there would not be room in their side for a player who was not capable of carrying the ball or progressing the team down the pitch.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Both times, his illness began with intense fatigue and body aches before progressing to intense diarrhea.

— Janelle Mella, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026

Definition of progressing

Noun

The development will also include a nine-story tower with a four story garage, and four stories of office space, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

— Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Preservationists, meanwhile, worried about the impact of taller new development on Washington Avenue’s historic scale, typically running to one or two stories in most places.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Definition of development

Verb

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are aging out of the cover rotation and EA needs the next face locked down.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
It’s meant to inspire others interested in replacing their own aging seawalls with infrastructure that supports marine restoration.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Definition of aging

Noun

His ability to implement policies aimed at boosting economic growth — such as reindustrialization, building more social housing and taking greater public control of utilities — will also be severely constrained by weak government finances.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Nestlé has highlighted several long-term trends supporting that strategy, including cat ownership growing roughly three times faster than dog ownership in recent years and premium cat food outpacing premium dog food growth.

— Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026

Definition of growth

Verb

And Bobby Portis was that Bucks team’s energetic sixth man, and can fill the same role in Miami, if not provide more because the 30-year-old has spent the past five seasons maturing in that exact role.

— Omar Kelly July 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Research shows that the brain finishes developing and maturing in the mid to late 20s.

— Jason Phillips, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Definition of maturing

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ripeness

ripening

ripens

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“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ripening

noun

verb

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