as in treated
changed by humans or machines (as in manufacture) from its natural or original form She's been avoiding processed foods.
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in refined
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in reprocessed
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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
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This pair is perfect for those looking for a simple, casual take on clogs that still feels refined.— Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
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The perfect combination of breakfast and lunch, brunch been refined, refreshed and elevated over the years by chefs across the country who realize the value of of sweet pasties, savory carving stations and everything in between.— USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Transfer batter to prepared pan.— Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
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That said, fewer and fewer people are prepared to speak out publicly due to safety concerns.— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Provide afternoon shade or filtered sunlight in hot climates.— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
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Nearly everything The Pitt revealed about Al-Hashimi has been filtered through Robby’s reaction to it, from her ethnic name to her time with international NGOs to her desire to hire two attendings for the daytime shift.— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The process generates minimal hazardous waste, and the solvent can be reused, reducing both environmental impact and operating costs.— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
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Blue Origin, founded and owed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, has landed and reused its smaller New Shepard suborbital booster numerous times, but New Glenn surpasses New Shepard in difficulty and scale.— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Such spending flourishes in secrecy, and this year’s artificial rush toward a last-minute deal suggests that more giveaways are coming.— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
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Pasricha also advises her patients to steer clear of foods with artificial sweeteners - often advertised as sugar-free - because they're known to cause diarrhea and bloating.— Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Michael’s songwriting prowess is distilled down to snappy, silly montages that involve a lot of pacing and still more ruminating.— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
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Vinegar What can’t distilled white vinegar do?— Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Once the initial issues were rectified, the nightmare was still far from over, as Hilton developed another infection that had to be rigorously treated.— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
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After forgetting to kiss at the altar, the couple rectified the error on the Buckingham Palace balcony in front of 600,000 onlookers.— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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