Synonyms of ripen

ripen

verb

ˈrī-pən 

as in to grow

to become mature

pears ripening on the tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grow
• progress
• develop
• mature
• age
• grow up
• bloom
• blossom
• flower
• soften
• evolve
• flourish
• mellow
• bourgeon
• open
• unfold
• gray
• grey
• burgeon
• get on
• get along
• advance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deteriorate
• decay
• worsen
• decline
• sink
• dry
• degenerate
• wilt
• shrivel
• weaken
• fade
• wither
• wane
• waste (away)
• sag
• revert
• flag
• return
• droop
• regress
• lapse
• retrogress
• backslide

Examples of ripen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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