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
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
The flavor can change and any further ripening is halted in its tracks.
—Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 10 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
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
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
Submerging avocados in water is a preventive storage method that can preserve their appearance but might delay ripening.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
This type matures in 50 to 65 days from seed to harvest, with individual fruits ripening in seven to 14 days.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 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
Among them is Carignan, a grape previously dismissed for ripening too early in the season but now reconsidered as climate patterns shift.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Fruits are ripening and the birds are overhead migrating day and night, guided by the sun and stars on their mind-boggling journeys.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 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
Noun
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
The flavor can change and any further ripening is halted in its tracks.
—Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 10 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
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
Verb
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
Submerging avocados in water is a preventive storage method that can preserve their appearance but might delay ripening.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
This type matures in 50 to 65 days from seed to harvest, with individual fruits ripening in seven to 14 days.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 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
Among them is Carignan, a grape previously dismissed for ripening too early in the season but now reconsidered as climate patterns shift.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Fruits are ripening and the birds are overhead migrating day and night, guided by the sun and stars on their mind-boggling journeys.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
Bloom period varies by species, but many enjoy a long summer flowering season.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
-
Pruning after flowering can reduce disease pressure.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The free-speech cases in Florida, Tennessee and Indiana highlight a growing debate surrounding the First Amendment, political discourse and social media.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
According to the statement, Xcel has identified resource adequacy as a growing concern for several years and has proposed multiple solutions, including a near-term procurement plan designed to add 3,800 megawatts of new generation capacity.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The maturation regimen imparts an extraordinary depth of color and a lush red-fruit complexity to the spicy pot-still spirit.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
As Norris’ spirit was approaching the maturation deadline, the pandemic hit.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
27 May 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
-
Moreover, compared to nearby countries that have counteracted the economic effects of aging populations with new immigrants and their children, Italy has set more hurdles on the path to citizenship for those without native ancestry, even if they are born in the country.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
-
For now, Brown-Forman says there should be no disruption to Slane whiskey availability because the company has enough mature stock already aging.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The constructive interpretation is that the market is maturing.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Moreover, classical techniques have been rapidly maturing.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The new drug targets mutations in the RAS gene family that normally regulates cell growth.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Set a Fertilization Schedule June kicks off the prime growth season for most plants.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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