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
That would be a jolt for virtually all rural communities, where 1- and 2-acre zoning is common and housing density is discouraged.
—
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Without a substantially wetter winter next year, though, the dam near the Utah-Arizona line could face a real prospect of halting production and raising electricity prices from metro Phoenix to the Navajo Nation and around the rural West.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
The electric four-wheel-drive van is designed for urban, rural and border environments.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Constantine also said parts of the amendment seem to benefit Dorworth and others who have lost challenges to being removed from a rural boundary and, if the measure passes, could then file a new claim.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Without a substantially wetter winter next year, though, the dam near the Utah-Arizona line could face a real prospect of halting production and raising electricity prices from metro Phoenix to the Navajo Nation and around the rural West.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
The electric four-wheel-drive van is designed for urban, rural and border environments.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Constantine also said parts of the amendment seem to benefit Dorworth and others who have lost challenges to being removed from a rural boundary and, if the measure passes, could then file a new claim.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
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Both works carried cinematic, pastoral qualities.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In a pastoral letter and videos played at Masses across western North Carolina, Martin laid out the need for parishioners to go well beyond believing to engaging in proactive evangelism.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The expansion broadens the company’s country coverage and operational capacity, reflecting a shift away from step-by-step market entry toward multi-country team building.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
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The classic circular design showcases preserved purple blooms with natural texture and a rustic yet elegant aesthetic that complements everything from French country to farmhouse decor.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2026
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Expect everything—including the rustic beach camps, fresh ocean-to-plate fish, and the ferry ride from the mainland to Bubaque—to take its sweet time here.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Traitors brings a group of celebrity competitors—actors, comedians, reality TV stars and Olympic athletes, for example—to a mansion in the bucolic Scottish Highlands to play a high-stakes version of the party game Mafia.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
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Tucked among Middleburg’s bucolic fields and low stone walls is Provenance Estate, a 19th-century manor house and working farm that is home to the Middleburg Barrel Company, a small batch producer making award-winning bourbon.—
Katie Riley,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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