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Recent Examples of precocial
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
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
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Verify your disability rating and dependent status and review your education benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill programs.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
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On estate planning, half of millionaires surveyed don’t use an estate lawyer, although their use is highly dependent on wealth levels.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Foxes, bobcats and coyotes can be infected with trichinosis, a parasitic infection.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
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Jarrard also mentions the Flood, a parasitic alien species introduced in Combat Evolved that have become recurring antagonists of the franchise.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That symbiotic relationship is at the heart of the Ashes and represents the relationship between the nations in microcosm — perhaps one of the reasons the rivalry is one of the fiercest in all sport.—
Darren Richman,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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Per the outlet, remoras feast on the whale's dead skin and sea lice in what is thought to be a symbiotic relationship.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precocial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precocial. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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