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
Ryan went on to be an important adviser for the New Deal in the United States, which used cooperatives as a powerful tool for economic development through farmer co-ops, rural electric associations and the credit union system.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Human rights groups and regional NGOS have long warned that economic desperation in rural communities – where a lack of wage labor and vulnerable subsistence agriculture leave few alternatives – drives locals to take life-threatening risks.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Old Hickory in Conway County is just one of the many rural, unincorporated Arkansas communities that once served as area commercial centers and has since disappeared.
—Arkansas Online, 30 May 2026
As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, the Caribbean also faces rising temperatures, stronger storms, prolonged droughts, and coastal flooding, all of which threaten food supplies and rural livelihoods.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Human rights groups and regional NGOS have long warned that economic desperation in rural communities – where a lack of wage labor and vulnerable subsistence agriculture leave few alternatives – drives locals to take life-threatening risks.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Old Hickory in Conway County is just one of the many rural, unincorporated Arkansas communities that once served as area commercial centers and has since disappeared.
—Arkansas Online, 30 May 2026
As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, the Caribbean also faces rising temperatures, stronger storms, prolonged droughts, and coastal flooding, all of which threaten food supplies and rural livelihoods.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
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Families living in a toxic-waste polluted area around Naples were preparing to meet Pope Leo XIV during his pastoral visit on Saturday, carrying with them years of grief, anger and hopes for justice after losing children to cancer linked to a multi-billion mafia racket of dumping toxic waste.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 May 2026
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Rolling hills, vineyards and timber detailing give the estate its pastoral charm—all just a 90-minute drive from Sydney.—
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes.com,
16 May 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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This summertime enclave maintains its rustic charm with a population of only about 3,000 and almost a third of the land preserved by the Nature Conservancy.—
Kira Turnbull,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
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Partial Gray Cabinets With White Tile Add myriad wood tones and textures to bring an otherwise modern gray-and-white kitchen into the homey, rustic realm.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
His menu echoes the bucolic setting.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
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Known as Elmwood, the bucolic spread was long owned by the family of renowned broadcaster Roger Mudd.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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