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

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 More than a dozen expert interviews revealed that rural areas are expanding heat awareness, but damage control of rising temperatures in cities is largely unchanged. Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025 North Country National Scenic Trail spans eight states, including more than 1,100 miles in Michigan through urban and rural areas in the upper and lower peninsulas. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025 Earlier this year, KYUK Public Media, NPR and ProPublica documented a health and safety crisis inside many rural school buildings across Alaska. Emily Schwing, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025 Despite its status as a bustling urban center, Nya Lödöse clearly retained its agricultural roots; consequently, the open, semi-rural structure of the southern section included agricultural plots, modest houses, and gardens. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • His remarks come after reports that priests and pastoral workers have been unable to bring communion to those detained.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • From their London apartment at Kensington Palace to the pastoral charm of Anmer Hall—and now their long-term family base at Forest Lodge—the couple’s portfolio reflects a balance of privacy, tradition, and modern family life.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The president, meanwhile, is on a multi-country trip in Asia and isn't scheduled to return until Thursday.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
  • When asked about cross-border collaboration, Weiss pointed to Europe’s model of routine multi-country co-productions.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Leiper's Fork With rolling farmlands, a countryside filled with horse farms, World Atlas said Leiper's Fork offers the perfect rustic charm of the American South.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Nov. 2025
  • This formal living room gets an elevated look by pairing traditional furniture upholstered in creamy neutrals with a rustic iron chandelier, roughhewn ceiling beams, and a coffee table made from a single plank of old growth wood.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • He was born in the small town of Damongo in Ghana’s bucolic northwest.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Just over an hour away from London by train (the Brits really do have public transportation figured out in ways that had this American practically salivating with jealousy), Soho Farmhouse sits on 100 bucolic acres in the small town of Chipping Upon Norton.
    Rachel DeSantis, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

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