as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
The 500 is applied to the soil as a stimulative force in the spring in the fall and the Biodynamic 501 is applied in the spring and summer to the vine and air surrounding it to stimulate vital forces in the vine as well as enhance ripening and flavor of the grape.
—
Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Melons and summer squash often need more time to ripen before harvesting.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 July 2025
Once ripened, move them to the refrigerator's fruit drawer.
—Hannah Coakley, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
If the House recesses on Thursday, the measure will not ripen until after the August recess.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Melons and summer squash often need more time to ripen before harvesting.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 July 2025
Once ripened, move them to the refrigerator's fruit drawer.
—Hannah Coakley, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
If the House recesses on Thursday, the measure will not ripen until after the August recess.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripen
Verb
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Though best known for corn and soybeans, Indiana also grows a lot of tomatoes (tuh-may-tuhs, as my Hoosier grandfather would have called them).—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
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Now comes news that many kinds of ticks are expanding their range and growing more abundant in the Midwest.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
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Read on for our picks in the Emmys' three biggest categories — and check back for updates as the race progresses between now and the end of final-round voting on Aug. 28.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Sometimes, taking two steps forward and one step back is the way to progress.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripen. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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