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
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
Fortunately, a few simple storage methods can help extend their shelf life and slow the ripening process.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 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
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
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Small, white flowers bloom from late winter to early spring, with fruit ripening in the fall on mature trees.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Determinate tomato varieties, such as ‘Celebrity,’ ‘San Marzano Nano,’ ‘Amish Paste,’ and ‘Marglobe’ (among others), have a short harvest season with fruit ripening all at once.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 18 Apr. 2026
Vines have traditionally been planted on the steep slopes of the riverbanks because of excellent drainage, and grapes are exposed to the maximum amount of sun for ripening in this cooler climate region.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2026
Refrigeration stops ripening cold.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
For example, serviceberries provide spring-ripening fruit, red-twig dogwoods provide summer fruit, while hawthorns and crabapples provide fruit in fall and winter.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Some tricks to slow down ripening and prevent bruising include separating bananas from the bunch, hanging them from a hook, and wrapping their stems in plastic wrap to prevent the release of ethylene gas.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
This slows the release of ethylene and helps delay ripening, and extends their shelf life by a few days.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
Fortunately, a few simple storage methods can help extend their shelf life and slow the ripening process.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 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
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
Verb
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
Small, white flowers bloom from late winter to early spring, with fruit ripening in the fall on mature trees.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Determinate tomato varieties, such as ‘Celebrity,’ ‘San Marzano Nano,’ ‘Amish Paste,’ and ‘Marglobe’ (among others), have a short harvest season with fruit ripening all at once.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 18 Apr. 2026
Vines have traditionally been planted on the steep slopes of the riverbanks because of excellent drainage, and grapes are exposed to the maximum amount of sun for ripening in this cooler climate region.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2026
Refrigeration stops ripening cold.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
For example, serviceberries provide spring-ripening fruit, red-twig dogwoods provide summer fruit, while hawthorns and crabapples provide fruit in fall and winter.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Some tricks to slow down ripening and prevent bruising include separating bananas from the bunch, hanging them from a hook, and wrapping their stems in plastic wrap to prevent the release of ethylene gas.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
This slows the release of ethylene and helps delay ripening, and extends their shelf life by a few days.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
Noun
-
Fertilizing can reduce flowering and make the plants flop.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Plant in full sun for best flowering.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By mapping the chemical signatures of different growing regions, Supima can provide forensic proof that a product is exactly what the label claims.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The pageantry began Monday amid heightened security concerns and a growing rift over the Iran war.—
Michael Birnbaum,
Washington Post,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The recent Glengoyne Mizunara (another superb whisky) was finished for a full six years in this type of wood, but that pales in comparison to this particular component’s maturation journey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
-
However, hydrangeas also turn green simply in the maturation process and may be harvested and utilized in dry arrangements when this color is shown; such hydrangeas are referred to as Vintage or Antique.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The variety could grow further in coming years with Relativity Space, Stoke Space and Astra Space all progressing with rockets aiming to launch from Cape Canaveral, while SpaceX looks to bring its Starship and Super Heavy to the Space Coast before the end of the year.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is progressing at a remarkable pace.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In October, plans for the Snug Harbor Surf Park, along with a 50-foot-tall building for a surf academy, shop and restaurant, were given approvals by city officials who granted a general plan amendment to expand the allowance for the development from 20,000 square feet to nearly 60,000 square feet.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
The system supports interchangeable components and exposes low-level interfaces for secondary development, enabling researchers to customize control, perception, and task execution.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Time is short, our aging Mother Colorado River is simply wearing out.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Japan, like much of Asia, is aging fast and running short of caregivers.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The net drain reflects an operation size that was smaller than the amount of maturing loans.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Exfoliate gently and strategically Exfoliation helps clear away dull surface cells, but the emphasis for maturing skin is on gentle chemical options rather than harsh physical scrubs.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Moon supports steady growth from Jupiter, helping practical choices create a sense of calm.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Earnings from India’s bellwether software services exporters have reinforced investor concerns about the sector’s growth prospects, signaling that the downturn in their stocks has further to run.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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