processed 1 of 2

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

processed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of process

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 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 it’s also refined, in its way, drenched in baby blue and perfectly expressive of the current trend for sculptural ‘art’ furniture.
    Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
  • These gatherings, often overlooked outside emergency management circles, are where plans are refined and relationships forged before disasters strike.
    Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Transfer batter to prepared pan.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
  • That said, fewer and fewer people are prepared to speak out publicly due to safety concerns.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Provide afternoon shade or filtered sunlight in hot climates.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Neuroscientists have found that these events at dendrites can allow even single neurons to perform complex computations — meaning that dendrites are the reason why a single neuron can have the same amount of computational power as a deep artificial neural network.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
  • For $150, a homebuyer in escrow can buy a report from the artificial-intelligence fueled HOASnapshot.
    Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 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
  • 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
  • Vinegar What can’t distilled white vinegar do?
    Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And with multiple, high-rate alternatives to choose from, it can easily be rectified.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • In reality, Patel’s email access was restricted due to a fairly routine technical glitch that was quickly rectified.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on processed

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster