altricial

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 altricial Plenty of other creatures give birth even sooner, yielding offspring in a more altricial state. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2022 Robins, bluebirds, hummingbirds and many other birds are altricial. Jim Robbins, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2022 If birds are born altricial — helpless — clutches tend to be small to accommodate the higher level of care the babies must receive. Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 29 June 2021 That’s because both marmosets and humans have altricial babies, from the Latin for needing nourishment—meaning offspring that can’t take care of themselves even a tiny bit at the beginning. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 27 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altricial
Adjective
  • Typically, this produces less power than a gas generator, but having enough panels and the proper circuitry can make your RV trips even more self-sufficient.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The campus must also be financially self-sufficient by 2045, or when the bond is paid off if that comes first.
    Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and so are the Faroe Islands.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Apr. 2025
  • As experts have warned, autonomous AI agents tasked with optimizing in competitive environments may behave unpredictably—gaming systems, exploiting loopholes, and pursuing goals that deviate from human intent.
    Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The government argues that simply means that while the task force can consider a request from the Health and Human Services secretary – and even be fired for not complying – they’re supposed to exercise independent judgment.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Fortune The White House is moving to tighten control over independent agencies, requiring Trump allies to approve all new regulations from the SEC, CFTC, and others starting Monday.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to its momentum and self-sustaining nature, drive has another advantage over motivation: It can be developed and strengthened over time.
    Ryan McGrath, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
  • Significantly, some states had self-sustaining populations of wild turkeys that could serve as seed stock.
    Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • In 2021, former President Biden’s administration slapped more sanctions on officials over Beijing’s crackdown on political freedoms in the semiautonomous city.
    Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will visit Greenland this week after the Trump administration ramps up its rhetoric about a takeover of the semiautonomous Danish territory.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ask Amy: My unsociable neighbor doesn't know about me and his wife.
    Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024
  • To drink too much would be inexcusable; to drink too little would be unsociable.
    Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Feb. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Altricial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altricial. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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