as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
The fruit may also take longer to ripen, especially in cooler climates or shorter growing seasons.
—
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026
One of the last to ripen in the entire appellation, this vineyard is surrounded by thick woods that protect it from the warm and humid westerly winds.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 3 May 2026
At this time of the year tomatoes need to be in the ground and producing fruits to ripen in a few weeks.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
However, always wait to pick your tomatoes once the pink appears, as fully green tomatoes won’t ripen properly once off the plant.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026
One of the last to ripen in the entire appellation, this vineyard is surrounded by thick woods that protect it from the warm and humid westerly winds.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 3 May 2026
At this time of the year tomatoes need to be in the ground and producing fruits to ripen in a few weeks.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
However, always wait to pick your tomatoes once the pink appears, as fully green tomatoes won’t ripen properly once off the plant.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripen
Verb
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Glittering nuptial celebrations are growing domestically, those in the industry say.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 May 2026
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Amid a wave of momentum for women’s sports, the PWHL’s ultimate goal was to grow to 12 franchises.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
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As the novel progresses, the two tracks collide in unexpected ways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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As the disease progresses, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, organ dysfunction and sometimes internal or external bleeding, the WHO said.—
Nicole Brown Chau,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripen. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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