ripening 1 of 2

noun

as in flowering
the process of becoming mature the ripening of a pumpkin can take a whole season

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ripening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ripen
as in growing
to become mature pears ripening on the tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 ripening
Noun
Growers commonly use sticky traps, often tapes or red spheres that resemble ripening apples, along with chemical or food-based lures, to attract adult flies. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 To speed up the ripening process, put the papaya in a paper bag for a couple of days. — Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2026 These types of produce release ethylene gas, which can quicken the ripening process. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026 Advantages of cultivating a single clone include uniform ripening and flavor profile and consistent tannin and acidity levels, which allow for greater control over the final wine. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 However, in Alder’s experiment, proximity to these fruits in a closed box did not hasten ripening. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2026 In-season shopping reduces reliance on energy-intensive greenhouses, long-haul freight and artificial ripening. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 In-season shopping also leans less on energy-intensive greenhouses and artificial ripening, both of which drive up a food’s carbon footprint. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026 Underripe fruit should be stored at room temperature, either on the windowsill (direct sunlight will aid in ripening) or in a closed paper bag. — Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
Tomatoes can continue ripening indoors, either on the counter or in a cardboard box, Dahmen said. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 For the same reason, remove any bananas that are ripening from the remaining bunch to slow down the process. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026 Figs, unlike bananas, avocados and many stone fruits, do not keep ripening after they’ve been picked. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 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 Avoid putting them in the refrigerator, as this will delay ripening. — 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 This summer’s record temperatures compressed the ripening period even further. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Heat speeds grape ripening Gobillard has seen the shift unfold across generations of his family. — Sylvie Corbet, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
  1. flowering
  2. growing
  3. maturation
  4. progressing
  5. development
  6. aging
  7. growth
  8. maturing
Noun
  • The shorter serviceberry, sweet crabapple and flowering dogwoods are strong choices for small yards.
    — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • For all its flowering of original thought and creativity, the Renaissance was ultimately a time of patronage, and the patrons both held the power and used it to enrich their own palaces and places of worship.
    — Christopher Koopman, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of flowering
Verb
  • Hurricane Trudy moved toward southwestern and west-central areas of Mexico's Pacific coast and could keep growing through Saturday, forecasters said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Albania’s unrest coincides with growing street protests elsewhere in Europe.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of growing
Noun
  • As mentioned before, that secondary maturation is a first for the Irish whiskey category.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
  • It is also marked by a modulation, and maturation, of Pavese’s poetic aims.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of maturation
Verb
  • Aside from newcomer Tobias Harris, who Johnson said is progressing nicely after missing the preseason with a calf strain, the Spurs should have a full complement of players available for Tuesday’s opener.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Detecting adenocarcinomas early can help keep them from progressing to advanced disease.
    — Alice Park, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of progressing
Noun
  • Walsh will contribute across collection development, campaign concepts, styling, brand imagery and creative storytelling, working alongside the Rebecca Taylor team.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Abell Diño-Cabrera, who heads Fire & Ice Media and runs the division’s film and TV development, production, positioning and sales work, will steer the alliance for the Philippine side.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of development
Verb
  • Kris Jenner gets a deep plane facelift, and suddenly, that’s the answer to the universal reverse aging query.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • By exposing them to the space environment, scientists can see how mini-brains respond and better understand why living in space accelerates aging.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of aging
Noun
  • Not surprisingly, the legislation does nothing to curb the growth of compensation and other benefits for college presidents, athletics directors, coaches and staff who continue to be in charge of the athletes under their control.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Debt acts as a ceiling on private investment, further stifling growth.
    — Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of growth
Verb
  • The county attributed the growth largely to greater demand for pollination services from maturing almond orchards.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • According to the brand, the casks are rotated while aging to encourage interaction between liquid and wood, and like the original the gin spent 71 nights maturing.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of maturing

Browse Nearby Words

ripeness
ripening
ripens
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Cite this Entry

“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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