as in grows
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripens
This variety is heat-tolerant and typically ripens later in summer, from July to August, says McCabe.
—
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripens
Verb
-
Robby grows emotional at the realization that Duke is referring to him.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Sometimes just surviving is an act of resistance and finding the grass that grows in the cracks in the asphalt.—
Sarah Lewin Frasier,
Scientific American,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the season progresses, though, these two worlds become more difficult to reconcile.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The Rangers will need their bats as the season progresses, especially Langford who entered this season with big expectations.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripens. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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