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
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Recent Examples of processed
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Food systems were shifting toward more processed and less nourishing patterns.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 4 May 2026
During that period, Vikings extracted ores from bogs and processed iron, which was later exported to Europe.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
Paris Barraza, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Adjective
The sauce is extra cheesy, creamy, and flavorful from sharp cheddar, cubes of processed cheese, and a dash of cumin.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Food systems were shifting toward more processed and less nourishing patterns.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 4 May 2026
During that period, Vikings extracted ores from bogs and processed iron, which was later exported to Europe.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for processed
Adjective
-
Bocce will be offering takeaway, both in the form of prepared food and things customers can cook at home, like pasta and sauces that come with instructions.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
Chunky sandals ground the look and keep you prepared to take on a scorcher in style.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
In expanding the possibilities of seemingly familiar materials, pieces pair the rough with the refined, the crystalline with the hand-hewn and the organic with the streamlined.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
-
Operating conditions can be refined to reduce stress on equipment and prolong electrolyte life.—
Gregory Shahnovsky,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
If intercepted, these tokens could be reused until their natural expiration, effectively undermining a core security control.—
Ethan M. Stone,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Introduced with iOS 18 in 2024, Apple Passwords helps create and store passwords while alerting you to passwords that are weak, compromised, or reused across multiple accounts.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Marlon asks, pointing to an artificial division between the Wayans' sketch comedy series, In Living Color, and Thompson's longtime home, Saturday Night Live.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
-
Resistance to artificial turf might be eased if the city had taken the time to explain in great detail its benefits and risks.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The figures capture economic activity before the full impact of the Middle East energy shock, triggered by the US-Iran conflict, filtered through, and the interest rate hike earlier this month that would further erode consumer spending.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
10 June 2026
-
The companies that were financially strong were then filtered by those that performed well on industry impact in their respective categories.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
She was hooked up to a hemodialysis machine where her blood flowed out of her body to be purified and was then transferred back into her body where it was reabsorbed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
There it is filtered and purified before being fed into the Reflecting Pool.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
As part of our Language of Soccer World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to supporters of all 48 nations competing at the 2026 edition to capture their unique football culture, distilled into a single phrase.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
In a July interview, Bell said sake is brewed like beer, not distilled like spirits, noting the process is more demanding and delicate -- and to make the best sake, top-notch ingredients are required.—
John Magsam,
Arkansas Online,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Wembanyama rectified that mistake on the next play.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Nonalcoholic takes on the concept include the fruity Tarte Tatin Zero, a blend of caramel, rectified (or redistilled) apple juice, tonka, and vanilla foam, and the zippy Terminal Zero, crafted with agave syrup, lemon, mustard, and peppermint kombucha.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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