as in to grow
to become mature
pears ripening on the tree
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Recent Examples of ripen
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
Be aware that bananas can cause nearby fruits to ripen quicker, so place them accordingly.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripen 
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
Be aware that bananas can cause nearby fruits to ripen quicker, so place them accordingly.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 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 Nov. 2024.
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