ripen

verb

ˈrī-pən How to pronounce ripen (audio)
Definition of ripennext
as in to grow
to become mature pears ripening on the tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ripen Table grapevines are not suitable for winemaking due to their lower sugar levels at ripening. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026 There, wisteria blooms on trellises, raspberries ripen on bushes, a cold-plunge pool commands sweeping views of downtown Manhattan—and a chicken coop looms in the corner. — Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026 Unripe avocados should ripen on the counter, while ripe ones last longer in the refrigerator. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 2 Sep. 2026 Heat, however, according to Alder, does speed up ripening so that an avocado on a warm kitchen counter will ripen more quickly than one placed on a cool garage floor. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ripen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripen
  1. grow
  2. progress
Verb
  • Japan considers China's rapidly growing military activities in and around Japan, including in the Pacific Ocean, as a threat and has fortified its southwestern region with longer-range missiles and interceptors in recent years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Running Tide had struggled to grow kelp offshore at scale and shifted toward deployments of wood chips mixed with alkaline substances, said former general manager Kristinn Hróbjartsson.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Detecting adenocarcinomas early can help keep them from progressing to advanced disease.
    — Alice Park, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Sepesi said one of the biggest challenges with lung cancer is that symptoms often do not appear until the disease has progressed.
    — Tori Mason, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of progress

Browse Nearby Words

ripe
ripen
ripened
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripen. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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