ripening 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ripeningnext
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
Verb
The 2021 growing season was cooler than average with maturation and ripening less harried than usual. — Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024 Certain Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Enzymes in fruits and vegetables promote chemical reactions, such as ripening. — Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024 Keep them away from any fruits and vegetables that naturally emit ethylene, a gas that speeds up ripening of anything in their orbit. — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024 Dragon fruit does not continue ripening once it is picked. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripening
  1. flowering
  2. growing
  3. maturation
  4. progressing
  5. development
  6. growth
  7. evolution
Noun
  • The Evening Standard never filled that role, even at its best, and the paper’s near-demise has led to a flowering of new projects that report on and imagine the city.
    — Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Sunlight For the best flowering and leaf color (which can be nearly as dazzling as the blooms), the shrub needs full sun for at least six hours a day.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of flowering
Verb
  • This disconnect raises questions about the fairness and effectiveness of current executive compensation models, particularly in light of the growing wage gap between CEOs and average workers.
    — Jack Kelly, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The Industrial Revolution was gaining strength, immigration was surging, and the cities were growing at a rapid pace, some doubling in size in a decade.
    — Jim Euchner, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of growing
Noun
  • The high desert environment in New Mexico creates wide temperature fluctuations, allowing for accelerated maturation.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The distiller’s beer, as it’s known at that point, is then double distilled in pot stills and aged in new charred and toasted American oak barrels (the same type that are used for bourbon), before sometimes getting a secondary maturation.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of maturation
Verb
  • The Athletic reported on Wednesday that West Ham were progressing in their talks with Potter, with the club later confirming the departure of Julen Lopetegui after six months in charge.
    — Stuart James, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • This program, which began in 2022, is designed to rectify historic problems with IDR plans that prevented many borrowers from progressing toward 20- or 25-year loan forgiveness.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of progressing
Noun
  • Another large swath of the funds is expected to be dedicated to the development of a container terminal at India’s largest port project, the $9.1 billion Vadvhan Port.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
  • New developments in the works promise to push that power output higher.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of development
Noun
  • Properly cleaning your feeders is vital in protecting the health and growth of birds in your area and beyond.
    — Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
  • People who value independence and personal growth see divorce as an opportunity to redefine their lives.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of growth
Noun
  • Here’s how the startup mindset can guide the creation and evolution of a modern family office.
    — Francois Botha, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The evolution of Baltimore’s version of the NPIC toward more non-traditional service providers brought its own set of challenges.
    — David Plymyer, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of evolution

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Cite this Entry

“Ripening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripening. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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