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
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 5 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
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
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
This process, known as Ostwald ripening, involves smaller structures dissolving and redepositing onto larger ones.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
An overripe berry can accelerate ripening in the fruit it is being stored with.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 29 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
These fruits give off ethylene, a natural ripening hormone.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
To slow down the ripening process of bananas on your counter, try wrapping the stems with plastic wrap or foil.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Hot sunny summer days, cool nights, and the Columbia, Snake, Walla Walla, and Yakima rivers provide an ideal environment for ripening grapes to perfection.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
The fruit of Dipteryx odorata resembles a small mango, ripening from a dark green into yellow and mahogany, colors that indicate the final stage of maturity.
—JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2025
While ripening, antioxidants give the fruit its red color.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Sunlight increases sugar and other complex flavors during the ripening process, while nighttime cold preserves the grapes’ natural acidity, so Malbec from Argentina oftentimes tastes more concentrated, bold, and flavorful.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 5 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
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
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
This process, known as Ostwald ripening, involves smaller structures dissolving and redepositing onto larger ones.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
Verb
Peppers An early start indoors is a must for peppers to begin ripening by mid-summer.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
An overripe berry can accelerate ripening in the fruit it is being stored with.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 29 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
These fruits give off ethylene, a natural ripening hormone.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
To slow down the ripening process of bananas on your counter, try wrapping the stems with plastic wrap or foil.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Hot sunny summer days, cool nights, and the Columbia, Snake, Walla Walla, and Yakima rivers provide an ideal environment for ripening grapes to perfection.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
The fruit of Dipteryx odorata resembles a small mango, ripening from a dark green into yellow and mahogany, colors that indicate the final stage of maturity.
—JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2025
While ripening, antioxidants give the fruit its red color.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
Remove the spent flowering spikes so the plant can direct its energy toward new growth and eventual blooms.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The deciduous saucer magnolia’s floral display is enhanced by the fact that flowering takes place when the tree is still leafless.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Recent grocery store closures have rocked the north side of Milwaukee, where growing food deserts – areas where quality food is difficult to find – have left entire neighborhoods without ready access to food.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The system is built for logistics and warehousing operations where frozen goods face strict shelf-life limits, FIFO requirements, and growing SKU complexity.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Louisville’s Barrell Craft Spirits is responsible for a fair share of these, and some of them are intricate secondary maturations that involve several different types of wood.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The physical maturation is evident as ever each summer when Hooper’s NFL-sized frame is contrasted against De La Salle’s current group of high school athletes.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Do not forget Chelsea accrued in excess of £84m from winning the Club World Cup and have already brought in another £80m by progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League, with the possibility of more to come.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But the work is hard to spot from the road and is progressing on schedule for a November opening, the builders say.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fernandez revealed in an interview with Sky Sports this week that this development is no coincidence.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Many were also concerned about how things like school closures and mask mandates would impact their children’s development.—
Ej Dickson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Geisler notes that a single individual may manage care for aging parents while also coordinating medical needs for their children.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But the other side of that is the Green Bay Way moves on from aging quarterbacks before they’re done to go with rising young ones — Brett Favre was dumped for Aaron Rodgers, Rodgers for Jordan Love.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Best Varieties to Grow in Containers When growing onions in containers, our experts recommend choosing compact or fast-maturing varieties that thrive in limited space.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Warsh’s first test will be how the Fed handles the roughly $500 billion of seven-to-ten-year duration Treasuries maturing in the next year.—
Daniel J. Arbess,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the program’s growth, FRAP is struggling to offer services in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, as the law intended.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The unit reported 20 quarters of comparable sales growth under his leadership.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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