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

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 The disease is common in these rural fishing villages where residents rely on freshwater for daily living. William McCarthy, NPR, 4 July 2026 Particularly for day trips to more rural areas, be sure to check the departure time for your last train so you don’t get stranded. Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 One of my favorite examples is the old tradition of barn raising in rural America. Ashok N. Srivastava, Fortune, 3 July 2026 Most of the rest of the larger wildfires so far in California have occurred in rural parts of Kern and Riverside counties. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • Rodeos in rural Australia are more modest affairs, with distinct cultural origins rooted in pastoral stations and country towns.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Melinda Moore, a psychology professor at Eastern Kentucky University, noted that most clergy and faith leaders receive little or no training in pastoral care for those who are suicidal or suicide-bereaved.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • The company operates a multi-country manufacturing platform with more than 20 production facilities in Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 26 June 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • The park also features large reflecting pools, rustic furnishings, fountains, urns, statuary, artificial ponds for fish and foul, a deer park, orchards, fields and more.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026
  • This wave includes practical guides for hiking and road trips, alongside specialized titles on park accommodations, regional cuisine, and rustic design.
    Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Adjective
  • Continue north from New Paltz and discover all that the Hudson Valley and Catskills have to offer—charming towns, next-level antiquing, art, bucolic vistas, and mountain peaks.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026
  • At a charge, guests may also book a cute Patina Osaka wagon, packed with chairs, cuddly blankets, bites, and drinks for a bucolic picnic in the park.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rural

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster