processed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of processednext
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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processed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of process
1
as in refined

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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
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 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
Verb
These ballots will be processed and counted after the county elections office has completed the voter registration process. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for processed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for processed
  1. prepared
  2. refined
  3. reused
  4. artificial
  5. filtered
  6. purified
  7. distilled
  8. rectified
Adjective
  • Thirty-five percent of employees believe they would be expected to reskill on their own if their roles were disrupted, and only 31% believe their organization is very prepared to respond to talent disruption.
    — Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Experts have cautioned that Iran’s repressive regime is unlikely to be swayed by the suffering of ordinary citizens and is prepared to wait out economic hardship longer than Americans can endure high gas prices.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of prepared
Verb
  • The resulting sauce is glossy enough to spy your reflection in its jet black depths, refined yet powerful with its distinct wallop of deep, earthy flavors.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After dipping its toes into beauty, Old Navy has refined its strategy and is gearing up for a nationwide rollout.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of refined
Verb
  • The researchers describe the solvent system as green and recyclable, citing sulfolane’s low volatility, thermal stability and ability to be reused.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • SpaceX also plans to land and recover every piece of its Starship rockets — including the upper spacecraft, which has never been done before — in order to allow the rockets to be rapidly reused and drive down the cost of each launch.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of reused
Adjective
  • The search for awareness is now centered on machines, with the debate over artificial-intelligence sentience forcing scientists to take a hard look at what cognition and consciousness actually mean.
    — Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For scholars of that mindset, all reference to precedent—any precedent, either natural or artificial—is mediated by modern technologies of mechanical reproduction, and by an awareness of their ubiquitous sway.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of artificial
Verb
  • These metabolites are filtered by the kidneys and excreted in urine.
    — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The set list spans her 14-year career, with even the most pop-forward selections filtered through thunderous percussion and earsplitting guitars.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of filtered
Verb
  • But what if the water and nutrients could be purified from whey permeate and used for other purposes?
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Once hydrogen is flowing from the ground, how will the gas be purified?
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of purified
Verb
  • It must also be mashed, distilled, and aged in the United States.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Venezuelan oil, by contrast, is heavy, sour sludge, which can more easily be distilled into asphalt, industrial oils, diesel and jet fuel.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of distilled
Verb
  • To her credit, Reynolds swiftly rectified that, bingeing the first three seasons to get herself up to speed.
    — Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
  • If after 60 days the problem is not rectified, the people can sue.
    — Sarah J. Morath, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of rectified

Browse Nearby Words

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processed
processes
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Cite this Entry

“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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