Definition of ruralnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Every September, lots of our extended family from across the country return to rural Georgia for the homecoming celebration to eat and to hang out, to just to be present with family. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026 Common complaints include that turbines are ugly and ruin rural settings, hurt property values, endanger birds, and make noise. Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026 Restricting entry into the profession will shrink the pipeline further, meaning longer waitlists for mental health care, fewer clinicians in rural areas, higher caseloads, greater burnout, and reduced support for vulnerable people everywhere. David Kilmnick, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026 The search for a missing North Carolina man took a surprising turn when he was found dead at a rural cemetery, according to investigators. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • Jackson is awarded a master of divinity degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary because his life experiences more than fulfill the requirements for his missing courses in pastoral care, preaching and international relations.
    Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The former mayor said Jackson's visits to Atlanta were not always political, remembering a moment that showed Jackson's pastoral side.
    Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Signs of a shift were apparent when Iam Tongi, a young reggae talent from Hawaii, and proud Mormon, became Idol’s first non-country winner in three years.
    Zach Schonfeld, Rolling Stone, 25 Dec. 2025
  • Save 70% off multi-country tours through Exoticca Travelers looking for deep discounts will find some of the steepest savings at Exoticca, where Travel Tuesday deals offer up to 70% off top global experiences, from cultural deep-dives to scenic, multi-country getaways—all available to book now.
    Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Their rustic aesthetic heralded an acoustic music boom that included acts like Ed Sheeran, Noah Kahan, and Zach Bryan, and their sound crept into the rhythms of pop.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Elsewhere in the hotel, the look is rustic and Mediterranean, combining traditional elements like wooden ceiling beams, elegant canopies draped over king-size beds, and carpets made of natural fibers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Continue north from New Paltz and discover all that the Hudson Valley and Catskills have to offer—charming towns, next-level antiquing, art, bucolic vistas, and mountain peaks.
    Katie Mathews, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Set in the bucolic town of Nagi, the film centers on Yoriko, a sculptor living in the shadow of a past love that continues to shape her art.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026

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“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

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