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
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Fortunately, with a few simple strategies, there are ways to control the ripening process and keep your bananas fresh longer.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Tiny fruit flies come in from outside, attracted to ripening produce on your kitchen counter, or they may be brought in on infested fruit.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
This slows the release of ethylene and helps delay ripening, and extends their shelf life by a few days.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Insects that lay eggs in the fruits are going to get a late start, so especially early ripening peaches may be insect free.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
However, the pears being imported from Argentina are being treated with a gas called 1-MCP, that slows ripening by blocking ethylene receptors in the fruit.
—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
Noun
Fortunately, a few simple storage methods can help extend their shelf life and slow the ripening process.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Fortunately, with a few simple strategies, there are ways to control the ripening process and keep your bananas fresh longer.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
Some tricks to slow down ripening and prevent bruising include separating bananas from the bunch, hanging them from a hook, and wrapping their stems in plastic wrap to prevent the release of ethylene gas.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Tiny fruit flies come in from outside, attracted to ripening produce on your kitchen counter, or they may be brought in on infested fruit.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
This slows the release of ethylene and helps delay ripening, and extends their shelf life by a few days.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Insects that lay eggs in the fruits are going to get a late start, so especially early ripening peaches may be insect free.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
However, the pears being imported from Argentina are being treated with a gas called 1-MCP, that slows ripening by blocking ethylene receptors in the fruit.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
Here are some of the most dangerous flowering weeds around.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
An awkward name for a beautiful flowering bulb.—
Becky Wern,
Florida Times-Union,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Back then, neither of us could have foreseen the pandemic, Georgia’s growing political unrest, a war in neighboring Ukraine, or the collapse of several multi-brand retailers, which altogether has slowed down progress for Situationist and Georgian fashion more broadly.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The data points to a lack of clarity around career progression and a growing willingness among HR professionals to walk away.—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Millerchip said renewal rates are seeing some benefit from their retention programs, but acknowledged there will be a few more quarters of downticks before reaching a maturation point.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This pot still whiskey is aged in bourbon barrels and then finished in casks made from Irish oak grown in Wicklow, a relatively uncommon secondary maturation.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the work is not progressing.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
McGrath said Monday Dolton’s lawsuit against the insurance company is progressing, as the insurance company’s motion to dismiss the case was recently denied.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unable to raise budgets as fast as populations, some cities slowed or stalled new development, rather than depress services to existing taxpayers.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The sports facility would be the first major development under the 2021 plan.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Because of this, healthy aging isn’t something natural selection can select for—not enough animals live long enough for healthy aging traits to confer an advantage to their species’ survival.—
Mallory Locklear,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Those include aging infrastructure, limited commercial space and zoning rules that restrict opportunities for development.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plants grown in nurseries are crops maturing at different times throughout the year.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Part of the declines are a function of a maturing business where teams in a market like San Diego curtailed freebies and cheap tickets and moved toward a model of greater scarcity and premium experiences.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Global bond markets tumbled in Asian trading Monday as an oil price shock prompted investors to price in higher inflation and a deteriorating economic growth outlook.—
Marcus Wong,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Surging prices from an energy supply crunch would then weigh on global economic growth.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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