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 An hour later, forecasters warned of similarly fierce winds in the rural northern Iredell County community of Love Valley, about 60 miles north of uptown Charlotte. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026 Last month Letlow won in parishes from the state's rural north to the New Orleans area in the southeast. ABC News, 27 June 2026 In northwestern Kentucky, just outside Louisville, Bullitt County emergency management officials asked residents of a rural road to evacuate as a precaution after a landslide at a dam embankment. CBS News, 27 June 2026 Voters in Maine’s rural 2nd District, which Trump won by 9 points, chose a progressive, Matt Dunlap, to run for the House seat of an outgoing moderate Democrat, Jared Golden, defeating Joe Baldacci, the candidate endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • Between Port Orford and Brookings, about an hour's drive away, fierce sea cliffs stand in stark contrast to the pastoral farmland of Oregon's small towns.
    Sarah Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026
  • The pastoral views feel far removed from the bustling cities that dominate much of Texas.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • The hantavirus outbreak aboard the Hondius last month prompted a multi-country response and the hospitalization of passengers in Britain, France, Spain and the United States.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • It’s also loved for its rustic appearance, crisp crust, airy interior and potential nutritional benefits, including being easier to digest than many other types of bread.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • Even better, every color of this space-saving design is on sale right now—from rustic walnut and classic black to neutral navy blue.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • This example from Studio BV includes an outdoor sitting area—plus a barbecue and plenty of bucolic vistas.
    Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 21 June 2026
  • Dance Tucked into the bucolic Berkshires, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival is a dance oasis.
    Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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