as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
While ripening, anthocyanins, an antioxidant, accumulate, giving the fruit its red color.
—
Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Many ripening berries were ready to be harvested around this time in the northeastern United States.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
Some jalapeño varieties may ripen into shades of purple or yellow too.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2024
Soils that become more saturated by the end of these extreme rainy seasons could ripen conditions for dangerous flooding.
—Jack Prator, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripen 
Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Many ripening berries were ready to be harvested around this time in the northeastern United States.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
Some jalapeño varieties may ripen into shades of purple or yellow too.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2024
Soils that become more saturated by the end of these extreme rainy seasons could ripen conditions for dangerous flooding.
—Jack Prator, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripen
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Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripen. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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