RURAL Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

rural

adjective

ˈru̇r(-ə)l

Definition of rural

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 Election results show that Laubacher is carrying the more urban — and more populous — corners of the 4th District, including Larimer, Douglas and Arapahoe counties, while Boebert leads in most rural counties, including Weld. — Elliott Wenzler, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026 In Pennsylvania, an unvaccinated resident of rural Jefferson County, in the north-central part of the state, died after testing positive for measles, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said on Wednesday. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026 House District 43 represents parts of Olathe, Gardner, Edgerton and rural parts of Johnson and Douglas counties. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026 Forty years later, the crisis has reached another breaking point and the movement that refused to let rural America disappear is still fighting. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural

Adjective

Vyn, the number 23 restaurant, is located within a pastoral fishing village of about 7,000 people in southern Sweden.

— Nathan Tavares, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Built in 1829 and recently restored by design firm Hendricks Churchill, the Seminary is a five-bedroom micro-hotel hidden away in the pastoral town of Old Bennington.

— Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of pastoral

Adjective

Early last year, Russia released American school teacher Marc Fogel, and in 2024 journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan were among those released from Russian custody in a complicated multi-country prisoner swap.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
But also multi-country emigration tales, as in Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of country

Adjective

Take Williamsburg’s Beats Karaoke Cafe, an eight-minute walk from the Bedford Avenue station, with a rustic bar on the first floor, leading to a hall of private rooms that continue downstairs.

— Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Jammy onions, sharp cheese, and a literal mountain of cabbage cook down into a rustic gratin in a flaky crust.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of rustic

Adjective

The Blue Ribbon Suite, on a corner, offers expansive views of the bucolic Virginia landscape and a stone terrace—the perfect perch for a glass of local wine.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Step inside, though, and you’re transported to a bucolic Britain of rolling hills and village greens, bumbling eccentrics and cute, clever farm animals.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026