as in pastoral
of, relating to, associated with, or typical of open areas with few buildings or people grew up in a rural community where more than half the people were farmers a painter noted for his rural landscapes

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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 rural Independent Spirit Award nominee and Guggenheim fellow Talia Lugacy directs the movie, which wrapped production this summer in rural Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 Corporation for Public Broadcasting CEO Patricia Harrison says many stations, particularly in rural areas, will ultimately go under without the federal support. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 Food insecurity in Kentucky’s rural areas is even more stark, and legal representation harder to come by. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025 Democrats argued the measure was essential to protect low-income families and rural hospitals from losing coverage. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • Once the seat of dukes and later a wartime naval base, the pastoral country estate in Ireland's County Fermanagh comprises a historic residence, five cottages, a walled garden, and vast sporting grounds.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2025
  • One of the original parks designed by Olmsted, the park provides a pastoral setting amid rolling hills, open meadows and woodlands of the Beargrass Creek valley.
    Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The multi-country co-production is led by Chile’s Catalina Vergara of Globo Rojo Films.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Fellow country singer Luke Bryan is also returning as a judge, making Lionel Richie the only non-country artist in a prominent role on the show.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Head straight to the rustic-chic Casa Palopó, one of two Relais & Chateaux properties in Guatemala.
    Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Nestled on 21 acres in Hyde Park, about 90 minutes north of Manhattan, the development aims to reimagine resort living that’s rooted in the rustic natural landscape but elevated by One&Only’s signature service.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The rural Wisconsinite, who died in a psychiatric institution in 1984, became known for keeping as totems pieces of his victims’ bodies, in a string of crimes that shocked bucolic 1950s America.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Enjoying the relaxed pace of the meal, tasting the rich but fresh food, and taking in a bucolic backdrop felt like a quintessentially Italian afternoon.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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