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
While unusual, such incidents are not unheard of in semi-rural areas, where livestock can sometimes find their way onto roads.
—
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
However, Motherwell notes that Michigan has rural areas that are not reached by broadband or digital and satellite services.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
This includes rural areas in Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and San Luis Obispo counties.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Oklahoma’s application for a five-year, $50 billion rural health fund secured the state over $223 million for 2026.
—Jillian Taylor, StateImpact, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
However, Motherwell notes that Michigan has rural areas that are not reached by broadband or digital and satellite services.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
This includes rural areas in Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and San Luis Obispo counties.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Oklahoma’s application for a five-year, $50 billion rural health fund secured the state over $223 million for 2026.
—Jillian Taylor, StateImpact, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
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Previous discoveries of cremations in Africa date to pastoral neolithic herders from 3,500 years ago or later food-producing societies with higher population densities, which made the discovery even more unexpected, the researchers said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Ford Complex brings British grandeur to a pastoral Georgia scene thanks to Neo-Gothic architecture inspired by Oxford University’s Christ Church College.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Save 70% off multi-country tours through Exoticca Travelers looking for deep discounts will find some of the steepest savings at Exoticca, where Travel Tuesday deals offer up to 70% off top global experiences, from cultural deep-dives to scenic, multi-country getaways—all available to book now.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Decorative wood planks make for a rustic accent wall that naturally flows up to the ceiling.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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Rounded ball points along the edge of this rustic mirror add some pizzazz without overwhelming the minimalist design.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Her memories of Parchman as a bucolic place rather than as a prison remind me that the children who grew up on the grounds of Parchman probably saw the place the same way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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The bucolic lands, home to cutting, reining and full-care breeding and foaling among many operations, sit 18 miles northwest of Weatherford.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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