as in countryside
a rural region that forms the edge of the settled or developed part of a country
lived far out in the backwoods and raised hogs for a living
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in rural
Related Words
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 backwoods
Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2019
The weekend gets going on Friday with music from Gator Nate, the lovable backwoods yahoo and role model for many a UF pledge.
—Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 22 Aug. 2019
Clustered among pine forests and sunny prairies along scenic backwoods roads 20 miles south of town, Perkins Tank and JD Dam Lake comprise a water-centric tour of the Kaibab National Forest’s southern sector.
—Mare Czinar, azcentral, 5 July 2019
Think of the backwoods ranger and Minuteman, the Confederate cavalry officer, the flying ace of World War I, the commando, the Green Beret and SEAL.
—John F. Ross, WSJ, 4 June 2019
See All Example Sentences for backwoods
Adjective
The Curse of Buckout Road Witches burning at the stake, backwoods albino killers and a modern day stalker prove to be more than urban legends on this New York state byway.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2019
The weekend gets going on Friday with music from Gator Nate, the lovable backwoods yahoo and role model for many a UF pledge.
—Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 22 Aug. 2019
Clustered among pine forests and sunny prairies along scenic backwoods roads 20 miles south of town, Perkins Tank and JD Dam Lake comprise a water-centric tour of the Kaibab National Forest’s southern sector.
—Mare Czinar, azcentral, 5 July 2019
Think of the backwoods ranger and Minuteman, the Confederate cavalry officer, the flying ace of World War I, the commando, the Green Beret and SEAL.
—John F. Ross, WSJ, 4 June 2019
See All Example Sentences for backwoods
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backwoods
Adjective
-
Cardi’s rendition of the story is set against the backdrop of the opioid crisis on a farm in rural Maine, where Pia and her brother Max live with their strict and controlling father, Leo.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Theaters in rural areas also brought in an outsize 46% of the weekend draw, which is unusually high for an opening.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In other attacks, militants attempted to storm the provincial headquarters of paramilitary forces in Nushki district, but the attack was repelled, police said.—
Abdul Sattar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Another separatist group called Stay Free Alberta has been gathering signatures for a petition to ask the provincial government to call a referendum, and some meetings have drawn large crowds.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The look blended ornate embroidery with a Western spin, merging high fashion with Wilson’s countrified finesse.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
17 Nov. 2025
-
Between Ojai and Ventura, kids can try their hand at line dancing, bocce, and other countrified activities at Old Creek Ranch & Winery.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
23 Oct. 2025
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
-
Here, in the rugged, remote Santa Cruz Mountains, one of California’s coastal ranges, the counterculture had found one of its first bucolic, dharma-bum milieus.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
-
On the western edge of Florida's panhandle, one underrated city offers an oasis of surprising history, a bucolic beachfront—among the best in the nation—and a culture-rich downtown to explore in your flip-flops.—
Matt Kirouac,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backwoods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backwoods. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
