Definition of ruralnext
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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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 Rising gas and diesel prices, alongside broader cost-of-living pressures, are threatening Republicans in rural and battleground states as the midterm elections approach. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 As a result, urban hospitals masquerading as rural have increased by more than 14,000% since 2017. — Christina Smith, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026 Money raised has contributed to building rural hospitals in Bolivia and Kenya. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 The rural island is located in Orkney, which is an archipelago in Scotland. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • In a remote Somali pastoral village, two twelve-year-old boys, Waasuge and Warmooge, spend their days herding goats and playing.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Vahl paints a stark portrait of the town and its few inhabitants — basically three men left in charge of a few dozen others — in succinct brushstrokes that combine the remote pastoral locations with flashes of gore and violence.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But also multi-country emigration tales, as in Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Bake this easy and tasty pineapple dessert in a tart pan or go free-form for a rustic look.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Where to Stay Hotels and Cabins The historic Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, has traditional lodge rooms, rustic-chic log cabins, and modern hotel rooms.
    — Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The filmmaker contrasts her bucolic nature scenes with shots of the giant ships passing by and the interiors and exteriors of the factories located near the island, belching smoke and lit up at night like a forbidding theme park.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The two set out with Ross, a raucous party boy, and the three drive to a secluded, bucolic manor.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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