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 If there’s not enough reason to vote, the president’s stripping away our health care for millions of Americans, seeing rural hospitals close. NBC news, 10 May 2026 District 1 — which runs from south San Jose to the southern extremes of the county, covering Gilroy, Morgan Hill and large swaths of unincorporated and agricultural land, including San Martin — is the county’s largest and most rural. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 9 May 2026 Now, the city is split into three Republican-leaning districts, its majority-Black population sliced up and bound to mostly white, rural and conservative communities along lines that branch away from Fowler and Wilson’s East Memphis neighborhood. ABC News, 9 May 2026 Matsui, 81, seeks her 13th election to the seat that covers parts of Sacramento, Elk Grove, El Dorado Hills and Placerville, covering a range of urban, suburban and rural communities. Corey Schmidt may 9, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • Leo met Thursday with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who — despite Fernández's letter — recently recommended that priests in his archdiocese use the German guidelines as a basis for their pastoral care.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
  • Leo met Thursday with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who — despite Fernández’s letter — recently recommended that priests in his archdiocese use the German guidelines as a basis for their pastoral care.
    Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • According to the report, the multi-country Global Monitoring System between April 2024 and March of this year identified about 22,000 ads for 267,000 wildlife products, involving about 8,500 live animals and about 258,000 items of animal meat, parts and extracts.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
  • Court documents outline a multi-country route, flying from Vancouver to Mexico City on March 29, then traveling to Mérida before boarding another flight to Havana, Cuba, on April 1.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Book a private balcony room at the Damascus Old Mill Inn for rustic luxury.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
  • Guests enjoy high-end amenities such as heated floors, fireplaces, and private patios, alongside a signature experience that includes a complimentary Italian-style continental breakfast delivered to the door in a rustic wooden wine box.
    Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Located in the idyllic region of Ripollès, the ramparts of castle Llaés look out upon both the Pyrenees and bucolic hillsides where goats graze.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
  • In this bucolic setting, days slip by discreetly engineered by the smart, young staff.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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