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
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Recent Examples of rural
The Iron Fire is burning in Juab County, rural county about 70 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, and was first reported at around midnight local time June 20, authorities said.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Set between Ostuni and Ceglie Messapica and surrounded by silvery olive groves, the Masseria Silentio is a former Masseriola, or rural farmhouse, dating back to the 18th century.
—Lucrezia Worthington, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026
Its first strand, set in 1995, follows a rural doctor in Nagqu who takes in an orphaned Tibetan baby girl.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 June 2026
Level 5 can navigate unpredictable dirt roads, unmarked rural lanes or chaotic city centers anywhere in the world.
—New Atlas, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Set between Ostuni and Ceglie Messapica and surrounded by silvery olive groves, the Masseria Silentio is a former Masseriola, or rural farmhouse, dating back to the 18th century.
—Lucrezia Worthington, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026
Its first strand, set in 1995, follows a rural doctor in Nagqu who takes in an orphaned Tibetan baby girl.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 June 2026
Level 5 can navigate unpredictable dirt roads, unmarked rural lanes or chaotic city centers anywhere in the world.
—New Atlas, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
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Jane Ragsdale’s best friend Christine Chenoweth, a pastoral counselor and former Presbyterian minister, says the South Fork of the Guadalupe is now lousy and wrecked and haunted.—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
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The enchanting woodsy and pastoral backgrounds when the action moves from the residential suburbs to the rural outskirts add to that poignancy, as do the dulcet tones of Randy Newman’s score.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The efforts are part of a multi-country response and preparedness plan that also covers Uganda, South Sudan and other neighboring countries.—
Maryanne Murray Buechner,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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The hantavirus outbreak aboard the Hondius last month prompted a multi-country response and the hospitalization of passengers in Britain, France, Spain and the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Located on the third largest reef in the world, Small Hope Bay Lodge is an unparalleled rustic eco-resort with all of the benefits of an extremely family-friendly all-inclusive.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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Even so, Meghan’s rustic version of the trend feels extra appropriate for farmers’ market hauls, beach days, and every summer activity in between.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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One of the most important and longest running development programs for new plays happens every summer in a bucolic grassy waterfront area in Waterford.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
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Just two hours northwest of London, the Cotswolds provide a bucolic counterpart to the urban buzz.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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