as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
European names for this full moon include the fruit moon, as a number of fruits ripen as the end of summer approaches, and the barley moon, from the harvesting and threshing of barley, according to NASA.
—
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Apples won't continue ripening after they're harvested.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
In fact, today’s cantaloupes often don’t produce a natural element known as ethylene, which is commonly found in fruits that do ripen after they’re picked like bananas, peaches, pears, or avocados.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Also known as the Missouri banana or the American custard apple, and spelled as paw paw, these sweet fruits begin to ripen in late August.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Apples won't continue ripening after they're harvested.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
In fact, today’s cantaloupes often don’t produce a natural element known as ethylene, which is commonly found in fruits that do ripen after they’re picked like bananas, peaches, pears, or avocados.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Also known as the Missouri banana or the American custard apple, and spelled as paw paw, these sweet fruits begin to ripen in late August.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripen
Verb
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Lamb's ear adds a soft green, velvety touch to any garden and, in the South and USDA Zones 7-9, it can often be grown as an evergreen.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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The Hispanic population in the United States has grown rapidly in recent decades, and more Hispanic students are attending college than ever before.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If left untreated, these infections can progress from the outer ear and lead to serious complications such as deafness, facial paralysis, or balance problems.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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If untreated, the illness can progress into a chronic phase, which may remain silent for years but can eventually cause serious complications, including heart rhythm problems, an enlarged heart or digestive issues.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripen. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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