precocial

adjective

Definition of precocialnext
as in dependent

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precocial
  1. dependent
  2. parasitic
  3. symbiotic
  4. associational
Adjective
  • And as always, at the top level, the sport is dependent upon manufacturer largesse, something that usually vanishes in the face of worsening economic outlooks.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Malawi, which has among the highest fuel pump prices in Africa at more than $3 a liter, highlights the impact of a $100-plus per barrel crude price on import-dependent economies with thin buffers.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dependent
Adjective
  • However, since oral ivermectin is approved in children for other parasitic infections who weigh at least 33 lbs, doctors can use it to treat lice off-label.
    — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The court order stems from a finding that Shkreli organized an anti-competitive scheme to perpetuate his company Vyera Pharmaceuticals’ monopoly in the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of parasitic
Adjective
  • Those fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant and tree roots, helping the roots collect water and nutrients from the soil to nourish the plants above.
    — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
  • At the end of Season 1, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange team up to fight a mysterious symbiote alien, who leaves behind a small trace of symbiotic goo that Osborn collects and investigates.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of symbiotic
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
Definition of associational

Browse Nearby Words

precluding
precocial
precocious
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Precocial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precocial. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All