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Recent Examples of precocial
The embryos could develop into precocial hatchlings — young that were born at an advanced stage and capable of independent survival without parental milk or feeding.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Hares are also born fully furred and with their eyes open, a trait called precocial, whereas rabbits are born hairless, blind, and vulnerable, needing more parental care in the early stages of life.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Ducks are what scientists call precocial birds — capable of feeding, swimming and walking soon after hatching.
—New York Times, 22 June 2022
Godwits and most other ground nesters, on the other hand, are precocial birds.
—Jim Robbins, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2022
Game birds, precocial, have larger clutches because the young, feathered and out of the nest upon hatching, are more subject to predation.
—Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 29 June 2021
The opposite are precocial birds, birds that hatch with feathers and are mobile and ready to go shortly after emerging from the egg.
—Anna Thomas Bates, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 June 2017
Comparison with avian brain evolution suggests that placental brain size should be constrained due to placentals’ relative precociality, as has been hypothesized for precocial bird hatchlings.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2010
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Hares are also born fully furred and with their eyes open, a trait called precocial, whereas rabbits are born hairless, blind, and vulnerable, needing more parental care in the early stages of life.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Ducks are what scientists call precocial birds — capable of feeding, swimming and walking soon after hatching.
—New York Times, 22 June 2022
Godwits and most other ground nesters, on the other hand, are precocial birds.
—Jim Robbins, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2022
Game birds, precocial, have larger clutches because the young, feathered and out of the nest upon hatching, are more subject to predation.
—Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 29 June 2021
The opposite are precocial birds, birds that hatch with feathers and are mobile and ready to go shortly after emerging from the egg.
—Anna Thomas Bates, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 June 2017
Comparison with avian brain evolution suggests that placental brain size should be constrained due to placentals’ relative precociality, as has been hypothesized for precocial bird hatchlings.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precocial
Adjective
-
Restaurants and neighborhoods can feel more local, especially outside the most tourism-dependent islands and resorts.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
At the same time, rich countries took steps to become less dependent on oil; while soaring prices encouraged new exploration, from Alaska to the North Sea, and the Soviet Union became a major producer.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Despite a viral online claim, scientists and doctors have repeatedly said the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin is not a proven treatment.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Plants like cosmos, calendula, and marigolds can attract parasitic wasps and hoverflies that feed on cabbage loopers and other pests.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The symbiotic worm was found on a volcanic seamount in the Shichiyo Seamount Chain, Japan, at a depth of 2,595 feet.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
Perhaps a symbiotic future and collaboration with artificial intelligence will help them.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Defendants contest only that CASA has not satisfied the first requirement for such associational standing.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precocial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precocial. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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