as in grows
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripens
The skin ripens to bright yellow with green stripes, and the flesh has a pink hue.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
The fruit ripens reliably, which leads to wines that feel generous and fruit driven without being jammy.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The majority of Malbec in Bordeaux died out from frost in the 1950s, and Petit Verdot often ripens too late to make it into the final blend, so many vineyards have been replanted with other varieties over the years.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
The fruit ripens reliably, which leads to wines that feel generous and fruit driven without being jammy.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The majority of Malbec in Bordeaux died out from frost in the 1950s, and Petit Verdot often ripens too late to make it into the final blend, so many vineyards have been replanted with other varieties over the years.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripens
Verb
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Labeling drawers or bins by supply type (rather than by project) creates a flexible system that grows with your interests.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
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The sense of community grows stronger by the week.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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TxDOT will keep working on the new RM 2871 Longvue Avenue bridge and other improvements tied to the broader rebuild, which means more lane shifts and temporary closures are possible as the project progresses through 2026.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
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As the week progresses, a front of Arctic air will trek through the Great Lakes region and into the Northeast and is set to bring snow squalls, high winds and freezing temperatures, forecasters said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripens. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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