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 While the president appeared to dismiss Americans’ economic woes last week, some rural voters remain loyal to him, Reuters reported. Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 17 May 2026 Partly because Missouri has $900 million in federal rural broadband funding at risk. Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 The case was brought by the Breathitt County School District in rural Kentucky. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 17 May 2026 Although such people live within commuting distance of Chicago and were encouraged to work remotely, some might relocate to less costly rural housing, easing housing shortages and lowering prices. Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • Rolling hills, vineyards and timber detailing give the estate its pastoral charm—all just a 90-minute drive from Sydney.
    Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • These are not pretty, chintzy designs referencing a pastoral idyll.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Marettimo The most remote of the Egadi Islands, tiny Marettimo—accessible via ferry from Trapani—remains delightfully rustic thanks to its limited accessibility, near absence of cars, and lack of large hotels.
    Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
  • This cliffside property tucked away on Cornwall’s north coast eschews rustic seaside themes for a more urbane design and quirky Ayurvedic spa.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • Westport is in the heart of the Farm Coast, a term that captures the bucolic character of the rural coastline between Little Compton, Rhode Island, and Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
    Anna Laird Barto, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
  • And against the bucolic backdrop, the women settle into a contemplative, shared existence, probing themselves and each other.
    Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 12 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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