Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One night I ignored the butcher’s feast path and went off-road so I could try some sirloin that had been ripening downstairs for 138 days.

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2017

Once in office, he swiftly began executing a broad diplomatic design that had been ripening in his mind for years.

From Time Magazine Archive

With a civilization which had been ripening for centuries under Oriental skies,—rich in wisdom, learning, culture, science, and in art,—they had come into Europe, infidels though they were, to build up and not to destroy.

From A Short History of Spain by Parmele, Mary Platt

On the contrary, the conditions for its acceptance had been ripening fast.

From Edison, His Life and Inventions by Dyer, Frank Lewis

Kind Heaven, at the termination of the evening, sent me an opportunity of imparting a small portion of the internal pepper and mustard which had been ripening in my heart during the whole evening.

From Julia Ward Howe 1819-1910 by Elliott, Maud Howe