as in treated
changed by humans or machines (as in manufacture) from its natural or original form
She's been avoiding processed foods.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in refined
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in reprocessed
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of processed
Sarah Garone, Health, 2 Apr. 2026
Key Takeaways Eating a low-carb breakfast can prevent post-breakfast blood sugar spikes, compared to breakfasts high in sugary and processed carbs.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2026
And even high-protein products can come in highly processed and potentially harmful forms.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 7 Jan. 2026
Diets high in processed or red meats and low in fruits and vegetables, as well as high alcohol consumption, may also contribute to pancreatic cancer risk, along with some occupational chemical exposures, per multiple cancer agencies.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 24 Dec. 2025
For now, there's no avoiding the fact that the majority of the foods sold in grocery stores are ultra-processed, says Wolfson of Johns Hopkins.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
The light data was then post-processed using astronomy software to create a spectacular nebula spacescape.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
These tend to be less processed and have fewer additives than mixed meats such as ham, salami and bologna.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Excluding sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions, researchers said, with ultra-processed and fast foods that are high in sugar, refined starch, salt, unhealthy fats and additives being targeted at and consumed by children.
—Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Nearly half of Americans don’t realize processed meat is linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 2 Apr. 2026
Key Takeaways Eating a low-carb breakfast can prevent post-breakfast blood sugar spikes, compared to breakfasts high in sugary and processed carbs.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2026
And even high-protein products can come in highly processed and potentially harmful forms.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 7 Jan. 2026
Diets high in processed or red meats and low in fruits and vegetables, as well as high alcohol consumption, may also contribute to pancreatic cancer risk, along with some occupational chemical exposures, per multiple cancer agencies.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 24 Dec. 2025
For now, there's no avoiding the fact that the majority of the foods sold in grocery stores are ultra-processed, says Wolfson of Johns Hopkins.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
The light data was then post-processed using astronomy software to create a spectacular nebula spacescape.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
These tend to be less processed and have fewer additives than mixed meats such as ham, salami and bologna.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Excluding sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions, researchers said, with ultra-processed and fast foods that are high in sugar, refined starch, salt, unhealthy fats and additives being targeted at and consumed by children.
—Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for processed
Verb
-
But decadents only break taboos in a bloodless, symbolic way—they’re too lazy and refined for murder.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Those were refined to feature a chemical called mitragynine.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Children enter school better prepared to learn and succeed.—
Franklyn Baker,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2026
-
China is possibly the best prepared country.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Chappelle explained that, between sets, comedians constantly discuss their different points of view and how comedy can be filtered through different cultural lenses.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
6 May 2026
-
Rain that once filtered into soil could instead run off into surrounding areas, increasing the risk of flooding and putting pressure on nearby waterways.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Osborn loves Tossware, a quality option for non-breakable drinkware with multiple styles to choose from, and it can also be reused for future events.—
Colleen Sullivan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 May 2026
-
After the party, the shoes lived on, some were given to a schoolteacher in Berkeley, and others were donated so they could be reused.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
The wayward booster was spotted by independent astronomer Bill Gray, who develops and sells software dedicated to tracking celestial objects both artificial and natural.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
1 May 2026
-
That there is no need to fill consciousness at all moments with the artificial urgencies of screens, of emails, of texts, of social media; the real urgencies of the bright-eyed woodpecker above my head will always be vastly more interesting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Once purified, the atmospheric sample enters an enrichment stage that significantly enhances the detectability of trace gases.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Inside these trains, natural gas is purified and cooled to about –260 degrees Fahrenheit (–162 degrees Celsius), below the boiling point of methane.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Senior global brand ambassador Ewan Morgan credited this to the oak used to make the the barrel in which the whisky was aged having a very tight grain which minimized the angel’s share, something that no one expected back when the whiskey was distilled.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
7 May 2026
-
Semafor’s editorial team then examined the strongest patterns and distilled the full analysis into the sharpest insights.—
Rachel Keidan,
semafor.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The error, as the Transportation Secretary’s office put it, was soon rectified.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And with multiple, high-rate alternatives to choose from, it can easily be rectified.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
