PROCESSED Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

processed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of processed

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

processed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of process

as in refined

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Dissimilar Words

as in reprocessed

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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 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

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 See All Example Sentences for processed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for processed

Adjective

While the summer focuses on prepared foods, the Toupses also do holiday drop-offs during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Valentine’s Day that provide ingredients for preparing festive meals at home.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
An Iranian diplomat told the Wall Street Journal that the regime is prepared to take advantage of Trump political vulnerability and would consider preemptive strikes if talks fail.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of prepared

Verb

Because zero-power critical experiments produce negligible heat and only trace amounts of radioactive fission products, the reactor fuel remains largely unchanged and can be reused for additional testing.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Ooh, the real test a piece has to pass for me is that it can be reused.

— Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026

Definition of reused

Adjective

Some studies suggest artificial sweeteners may affect the brain in a way similar to sugar, which could make foods more appealing.

— Lindsey DeSoto, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026
This aligns with decades of cognitive research that claims learning is more than simply receiving information—especially when that information feels artificial.

— James Davis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of artificial

Verb

This gas will then be purified and concentrated, ready for export to local gas networks as what is termed renewable natural gas (RNG).

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
And here, the researchers simply purified the translation machinery and supplied it to the SpudCells.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026

Definition of purified

Verb

The whiskey was originally distilled between January and June 2015, then aged for 11 years in #3 char American oak barrels.

— David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
After all, what is the nationality of an American model distilled from a Chinese model that was distilled from an American model?

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of distilled

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process

processed

processes

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Processed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/processed. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of processed

adjective

verb

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