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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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Richardson thinks the success of the All-Star Game is dependent on the best players participating.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Trio of guards lead way for Bulldogs Much like A&M, Georgia is heavily dependent on guard play.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Iowa House Republicans advance bill allowing over-the-counter ivermectin Iowa House Republicans advanced a bill to allow over-the-counter access to the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin.—
Marissa Payne,
Des Moines Register,
23 Jan. 2026
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The parasitic screwworm has been found in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which is just across the border from Texas.—
Alix Martichoux,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Music and movies always have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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The group’s vampire stories run deep, depicting the symbiotic relationship between the seven members and their loyal fandom, ENGENE.—
Jae-Ha Kim,
Rolling Stone,
19 Jan. 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 3 Feb. 2026.
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