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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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
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
Among the others: Maintaining a healthy body weight; not consuming alcohol or consuming in moderation; eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and low in red and processed meat; physical activity; and regular cancer screenings.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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
Among the others: Maintaining a healthy body weight; not consuming alcohol or consuming in moderation; eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and low in red and processed meat; physical activity; and regular cancer screenings.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for processed
Verb
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When the series was ordered, Thompson, who normally focuses on films, stepped aside and Carter took over, re-creating his predecessor’s design on a soundstage but elaborating on it with additional rooms that felt refined yet emotionally detached.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 Oct. 2025
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But Holloway expects the real volume driver won’t be bespoke suits, it will be refined casual pieces.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the singer is prepared to show fans that both sides of her sound can coexist, with a little help from Lady Gaga.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
22 Oct. 2025
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Duffy, however, added that the absences were isolated, and the agency is prepared to slow air traffic as needed to meet controller staffing levels.—
John Tufts,
Freep.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then and Now Vogue is committed to reporting and riffing on the global fashion conversation—always filtered through the lens of culture and what’s happening in the world at large.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
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That is even filtered through the language used by those in management positions.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Unlike any other rocket that has ever flown, Starship is intended to be rapidly reused from top to bottom.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
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Circ uses technology to separate and recover polyester and cotton from polycotton blends; the pulp that remains can be reused to create other fibers, fabrics and garments.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The less light pollution, the better; a shower like this one that's rich in faint meteors is especially hard hit by artificial skyglow.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Engineers are experimenting with artificial gravity, such as spinning spacecraft to generate centrifugal force.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Less pure sand can be purified by methods such as acid washing or magnetic separation.—
Aki Ishida,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mezcal Experiences Rooted in Indigenous practices dating back 400 years, mezcal was first distilled by Zapotec and Mixtec communities using clay stills and underground ovens.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Spray distilled vinegar into the bowl using a spray bottle.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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 25 Oct. 2025.
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