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
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
To assess the fiber content in a protein bar, check the ingredients list for processed or isolated fibers, such as chicory root fiber or inulin.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 7 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
Visible oil separation is normal and often a sign of a less processed, healthier peanut butter.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Be moderate around sugar and cream, stay away from processed creamers, and don’t have too much.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2025
The second scale looked at how much people’s diets contributed to inflammation, with foods such as refined grains, high-calorie drinks and red and processed meat considered more inflammatory.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 7 May 2025
This sentiment is reflected in explosive industry growth: exports of unprocessed and semi-processed gum have nearly tripled in the last three decades.
—Erik Zou, JSTOR Daily, 25 Apr. 2025
Last month, a committee issued its proposal, recommending that people eat more beans, peas and lentils as protein sources and decrease the consumption of processed and red meat.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The light data was then post-processed using astronomy software to create a spectacular nebula spacescape.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
To assess the fiber content in a protein bar, check the ingredients list for processed or isolated fibers, such as chicory root fiber or inulin.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 7 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
Visible oil separation is normal and often a sign of a less processed, healthier peanut butter.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Be moderate around sugar and cream, stay away from processed creamers, and don’t have too much.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2025
The second scale looked at how much people’s diets contributed to inflammation, with foods such as refined grains, high-calorie drinks and red and processed meat considered more inflammatory.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 7 May 2025
This sentiment is reflected in explosive industry growth: exports of unprocessed and semi-processed gum have nearly tripled in the last three decades.
—Erik Zou, JSTOR Daily, 25 Apr. 2025
Last month, a committee issued its proposal, recommending that people eat more beans, peas and lentils as protein sources and decrease the consumption of processed and red meat.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for processed
Verb
-
Though often appearing stylish and refined, with an air of unshakable confidence, like a real-life James Bond, Farzam seemed to come undone in recent years.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Takako Fuji originated the role of Kayako when the character and concept that would become The Grudge were still being refined back in Japan in the late '90s.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet, fewer than one in seven companies are fully prepared to adopt AI at scale.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Exit readiness refers to being strategically prepared for a sale or public offering, highlighting strong performance, credible growth potential, and operational improvements to attract buyers.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Raw honey is honey in its most unprocessed state and contains what would otherwise be filtered out or inactivated by heat, like antioxidants, enzymes, pollen, and microbes.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Everything that a doctor does in The Pitt is filtered through how their character would practice medicine in that moment, and that’s a real skill in a big ensemble show.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For the 2025 hurricane season, for example, the list of names from 2019 is being reused, and will be used again in 2031.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Disney park fans have speculated for a long time that the company reused animatronics from the defunct America Sings attractions on Splash Mountain.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Tests in both artificial and real human saliva produced the same result, demonstrating that the single-application ELR coating could recreate enamel and withstand real-world impacts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The artificial plateau made from earth, with connecting causeways, canals and corridors, was built in southeastern Mexico 3,050 years ago and used for around 300 years.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
These stem cells are purified in a lab, and then modified using an inactivated form of the virus that causes HIV.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Less pure sand can be purified by methods such as acid washing or magnetic separation.—
Aki Ishida,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then there is the heat—thick, luscious, sedating—to say nothing of the numerous places to sample cachaça, the potent spirit distilled in the area.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Gerry distilled decades of experience, observation and institutional knowledge into transformative insights over coffee and eggs.—
Jed Brewer,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
North Texas’ defense was at or near the bottom of the conference each of the last two years, but Morris hired former Sam Houston defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity, who seems to have rectified the issue as the Mean Green are currently third in the conference in yards allowed per game.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The audit called for those conflicting mandates to be rectified and suggested the monitor’s office could hire an outside attorney who does not work for the city.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share