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
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Considered a classic example of an excellent season by many winemakers, 2022 had a dry winter and warm spring, which limited vine growth and resulted in small but very concentrated grapes, followed by a relatively mild autumn that allowed for ideal ripening conditions and a relaxed harvest.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
The region’s breeze, combined with warm days and cool nights, slows the grape ripening process and allows the grapes to retain their freshness on the vine.
—Nicole Findlay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Kevin Takarada, founder of MakiMaki Sushi in New York, says that putting an avocado in the refrigerator will slow down further ripening.
—Abigail Abesamis Demarest, Martha Stewart, 30 Jan. 2026
Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Store in a cool, dry place to slow and extend the ripening process.
—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
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Avoid placing the bulbs near fruit, as ripening fruit can accelerate sprouting.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Forged in a sunny, warm summer with even temperatures and no excessive heat spikes, grapes benefited from even ripening and a relaxed harvest that yielded a relatively modest crop noted for concentrated, flavorful, small grapes.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
This seems odd but ripening fruit releases small amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of the arrangement.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Keep potatoes away from direct sunlight, and don't store them near onions or fruits like bananas, which release Ethylene gas that increases ripening.
—Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Because of its lingering ripening period, some gardeners wait until the fruit drops before consuming it.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Peppers An early start indoors is a must for peppers to begin ripening by mid-summer.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
The pears, whose ripening has been slowed or stopped, create pressure on demand for California pears that begin to come into season in July.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Considered a classic example of an excellent season by many winemakers, 2022 had a dry winter and warm spring, which limited vine growth and resulted in small but very concentrated grapes, followed by a relatively mild autumn that allowed for ideal ripening conditions and a relaxed harvest.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
The region’s breeze, combined with warm days and cool nights, slows the grape ripening process and allows the grapes to retain their freshness on the vine.
—Nicole Findlay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Kevin Takarada, founder of MakiMaki Sushi in New York, says that putting an avocado in the refrigerator will slow down further ripening.
—Abigail Abesamis Demarest, Martha Stewart, 30 Jan. 2026
Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Store in a cool, dry place to slow and extend the ripening process.
—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
Verb
Under some circumstances, 1-MCP can halt ripening altogether.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Avoid placing the bulbs near fruit, as ripening fruit can accelerate sprouting.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Forged in a sunny, warm summer with even temperatures and no excessive heat spikes, grapes benefited from even ripening and a relaxed harvest that yielded a relatively modest crop noted for concentrated, flavorful, small grapes.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
This seems odd but ripening fruit releases small amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of the arrangement.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Keep potatoes away from direct sunlight, and don't store them near onions or fruits like bananas, which release Ethylene gas that increases ripening.
—Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Because of its lingering ripening period, some gardeners wait until the fruit drops before consuming it.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Peppers An early start indoors is a must for peppers to begin ripening by mid-summer.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
Overcrowding can also reduce blooming; divide your bulbs every four years to promote more flowering.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
-
For an extra flush of blooms, cut the plants back after the first round of flowering.—
Angela England,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Beijing has balked at any restrictions on its smaller but growing nuclear arsenal and denies carrying out such a nuclear test.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
For some lower- and middle-income Americans, however, the finances just seem to get tighter, and burdens are growing.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The maturation translates into his personal life, too.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The traditional European and American sherry-seasoned oak are the core of the maturation, but there are also ex-bourbon barrels and Cognac casks in the mix—both of which are not unheard of but relatively unusual for the Macallan.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Antonia Noori Farzan Providence's snow removal efforts are also progressing slowly because heavy-duty equipment is in short supply, Mayor Brett Smiley said in a video posted on Tuesday.—
Eryn Dion,
The Providence Journal,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Dane announced last year that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare but swiftly progressing neurodegenerative disease.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Dow tumbled more than 800 points on Monday, in large part because of a Substack post from Citrini Research that laid out hypothetical scenarios for how developments in AI could disrupt certain parts of the economy, including AI agents making white-collar work superfluous.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
But player development is rarely linear, particularly at clubs where there is such a rapid turnover of players and coaches.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Divorced housepainter Eddie befriends Russell, his 8-year-old next-door neighbor; Russell’s mother has her hands full taking care of her aging mother and Russell’s troubled older brother.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The three-story building will replace Taylor’s aging city hall building, which currently sits at 400 Porter Street — the site of a former Safeway grocery store.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The plant’s showy spring blooms brighten the landscape, opening with a flush of pink and maturing to crisp white.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Its commercial space startups are maturing quickly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Global exchanges such as the London Stock Exchange are actively positioning to attract high-growth African listings.—
Maurizio Caio,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Passionate Mars begins energizing your 9th House of Philosophy today, nudging you to commit to growth.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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