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
Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process.
—Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
During ripening, bananas naturally produce ethylene gas, a plant hormone that helps convert starches into sugars, softens the texture, and deepens the color of the bananas.
—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
Mazzei explains that Il Caggio features a combination of factors ideal for Sangiovese, including altitudes between 1,050 and 1,150 feet, which ensure balanced ripening, and deep and well-drained clay, schist, and calcareous marl soils dotted with a type of sandstone that imparts intense minerality.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
This process, known as Ostwald ripening, involves smaller structures dissolving and redepositing onto larger ones.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
This is the time of year for leaves crunching underfoot and the ripening of rosehips.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2025
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
Cold temperatures stall ripening by inhibiting the enzymes needed to convert starches into sugars.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Peach trees are known to produce so much fruit that branches break under the weight of ripening peaches.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
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
The bag-ripening process works like a charm.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
Refrigerating bananas slows ripening and reduces sugar spikes.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Refrigeration slows pear ripening, while room temperature and exposure to ethylene-producing fruits help speed it up.
—Verb
This slows down the release of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
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The nonprofit group, which is celebrating 75 years of bringing together orchid enthusiasts while providing educational opportunities and supporting conservation efforts, will haul in thousands of the delicate flowering plants from growing centers around the world.—
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Some grow light bulbs emit red light that supports flowering and fruiting, while other grow lights emit blue light that supports vegetative growth.—
Verb
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The companies say the design addresses a growing challenge in autonomous vehicle interiors, where traditional steering systems become unnecessary and restrict cabin space.—
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The vines climb to about 6 feet tall, growing vigorously even through summer heat.—
Noun
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Brands latest portrait follows Washington from early life through his maturation as a general and leader, and situates the first president among his many allies and rivals.—
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The former means that more surface area of the whiskey is exposed to wood, and the latter means the maturation process is accelerated as the liquid expands during periods of intense heat into the pores of the barrels.—
Verb
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Redick said LeBron James, who didn’t travel with the team for the five-game trip, has done one-on-one work with coaches so far, and that the team is progressing from there in light of James being cleared for contact basketball activities.—
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But the turnaround under Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is still progressing nicely, driven by better execution on its 737 program.—
Noun
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Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.—
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David Dow and Tamara Weitzman are the development producers.—
Verb
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From building new pipelines and treatment facilities to replacing aging infrastructure, these projects will benefit thousands of families, boost fire protection, and support economic growth.—
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Yellin noted that she's hosted charity events at Mar-a-Lago and focuses her events on raising money for trafficked women and children, aging-out foster children, cancer patients and veterans.—
Verb
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But there is also single malt whisky being made specifically in England, with estimates of more than a billion dollars worth of casks currently maturing there and an impending geographical indication for the category.—
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Both have played a key role in maturing Thunderbird habitat and laboratory concepts.—
Noun
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The lesion was one of many — too many to count — that have been removed from his Irish-Scottish skin, including growths on his ears, scalp, lips and back.—
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For optimal growth, plant them with their crowns just at the soil line, ensuring they aren't buried.—
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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