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
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 June 2026
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
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
Mozambique will take a 15% stake in domestic mining ventures and push for minerals to be processed locally by prohibiting companies from exporting non-processed resources.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 June 2026
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
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
-
In a joint statement, leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom said the countries were prepared to lift sanctions on Iran in response to steps on its nuclear program after the United States and Iran reached a deal to end their war.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Keep track of fires and be prepared to leave.—
Don Sweeney,
Idaho Statesman,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Alaska, for example, has vast deposits of zinc, which is refined in British Columbia; the process spins off germanium, a crucial component in semiconductors.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Recognition for Excellence in Care and Innovation KMUH has consistently refined its robotic surgery outcomes and comprehensive care models.—
Jaw-Yuan Wang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The fairing then remains attached to the Neutron booster as a single unit during landing, allowing for it to be easily reused without needing to be recovered in the ocean.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 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
-
As streaming services like Spotify hack the artificial barriers separating one culture's hits from another's, American music fans are growing increasingly eager to dabble in international fare.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Avoid those with artificial colors, flavors, or other additives.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
21 Aug. 2025
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
-
This is a far more advanced and valuable product that requires graphite to be purified, shaped, coated, and graphitized before it can be used inside batteries.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
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.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
The bourbon and rye in the bottles are distilled at MGP in Indiana, the source for so many other whiskey brands, aged for at least two years, and then given a secondary maturation—the bourbon is finished in sherry casks, the rye in port barrels.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Krispel notes this and it’s quickly rectified.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
4 Dec. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
