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
Relevance
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
California counties with rural fire districts have grappled with similar problems felt in Yolo County.
—
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
The oldest, dating to 1948, crosses Spring Branch in rural Garland County.
—Jack Schnedler, Arkansas Online, 23 June 2025
Typically three to six stories high, these complexes have been appearing in cities, suburbs and even fairly rural towns from New Haven and Stratford to Torrington and Mansfield.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025
In 2024, even though Democratic nominee Kamala Harris easily won the small, rural state over President Donald Trump, voters ousted more than two dozen Democratic legislators.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rural
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
The oldest, dating to 1948, crosses Spring Branch in rural Garland County.
—Jack Schnedler, Arkansas Online, 23 June 2025
Typically three to six stories high, these complexes have been appearing in cities, suburbs and even fairly rural towns from New Haven and Stratford to Torrington and Mansfield.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025
In 2024, even though Democratic nominee Kamala Harris easily won the small, rural state over President Donald Trump, voters ousted more than two dozen Democratic legislators.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
-
Back in England, the Cotswolds offer a slicker version of pastoral escape.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
The story of baseball is fundamentally nostalgic, connecting us to childhood and to the country’s pastoral beginnings.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
To some, the look echoed what has been a big night for country music—especially for non-country musicians.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2024
Adjective
-
After getting engaged in 2021, the two tied the knot on Aug. 17, 2024, in a rustic farm ceremony.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
15 June 2025
-
Blending contemporary luxury with rustic Tuscan charm, the property features landscaped gardens, swimming pools with lazy river-flow current systems, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine with fresh local ingredients.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Found near Bruton in Somerset, The Newt in Somerset sits in some 800 acres of, yes, bucolic grounds.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Seven minutes from bucolic Molly Maguire Historical Park in Frackville, Pennsylvania is the State Correctional Institution at Mahanoy.—
Dave Zirin,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share