as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
Similarly, Bosc Pear ripens up a dusty tone with something a bit yellowish-golden.
—
Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 17 Oct. 2024
While most Iowans look forward to sweet corn at the peak of summer, another cuisine is ripening at the same time: huitlacoche — a misunderstood corn fungus that's overlooked in the U.S., but considered a delicacy in parts of Mexico.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024
Even melons that won't ripen or grow sweeter at room temperature, like honeydew, do become softer and juicier.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024
Unlike pineapples, which don’t ripen any further after being picked, bananas do ripen; shifting from green to yellow to brown-speckled to brown.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripen 
Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 17 Oct. 2024
While most Iowans look forward to sweet corn at the peak of summer, another cuisine is ripening at the same time: huitlacoche — a misunderstood corn fungus that's overlooked in the U.S., but considered a delicacy in parts of Mexico.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024
Even melons that won't ripen or grow sweeter at room temperature, like honeydew, do become softer and juicier.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024
Unlike pineapples, which don’t ripen any further after being picked, bananas do ripen; shifting from green to yellow to brown-speckled to brown.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 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 22 Dec. 2024.
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