RURAL Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

rural

adjective

ˈru̇r(-ə)l

Definition of rural

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of rural Kauai, a rural island of 70,000 people, is tremendously insular and interconnected. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026 Vast forests, rural communities and ranchlands full of livestock in Canada and Oregon have burned — and all in the month of July alone. — Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026 This new six-episode adaptation, developed by Liz Doran, stars Philippa Northeast as the Sybylla Melvyn, a precocious 17-year-old living in rural Australia in 1900 who wants to become a writer. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026 But, in recent generations, Europe’s rural landscapes have rapidly transformed. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural

Adjective

Pulling off both the oscillation between fast and furious belters and quiet, pastoral lullabies is a tough feat at an outdoor music festival, but the Brits do seem to be made for this sort of thing.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
But after a morning of pastoral Tyrolean views, followed by a convivial lunch at a lakefront restaurant, my commitment to solitude wavered.

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

Definition of pastoral

Adjective

Previous World Cups were concentrated within one nation, but this year supporters often crossed international borders, making the multi-country experience part of the tournament's appeal.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
The company operates a multi-country manufacturing platform with more than 20 production facilities in Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 26 June 2026

Definition of country

Adjective

The sprawling Relais & Châteaux estate spans 300 acres of forests, meadows and mountains (Vermont’s Green Mountains, to be exact) and features rustic-chic accommodations across the Lodge, Main House, Farmhouse at Copper Pond and 10 cottages.

— Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 31 July 2026
This is a rustic 10-site campground that sits at 7,100-feet elevation and is deep in the San Gabriel Mountains.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of rustic

Adjective

Over the past few years, Sofie Birch has amassed a sparkling catalog of bucolic curios on outré labels.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
Their signature farmhouse look imbues it with a certain bucolic charm, and all their products are hand-forged in Charleston, South Carolina.

— Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026