RURAL Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

rural

adjective

ˈru̇r(-ə)l

Definition of rural

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 An on-the-rocks couple is caught in a time loop at a rural getaway. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 Much of the pretty rural Georgia hamlet of Gay is coming up for sale soon. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026 In many rural areas, health centers are sometimes the only source of primary care. — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 Like Talarico, Hinojosa is ahead in Texas’ cities, whereas Abbott leads in rural parts of the state. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural

Adjective

Stretching across western Massachusetts and coming right up to the New York border, the region feels at once pastoral and remote yet still vibrant and culturally rich.

— Madeline Weinfield, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026
Red neon tubes illuminated art works ranging from the disturbing (a black-and-white photograph of a person stuffing sausages in their mouth) to the mundane (a pastoral painting of a snowshoe-wearing rifleman).

— Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of pastoral

Adjective

But also multi-country emigration tales, as in Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Previous World Cups were concentrated within one nation, but this year supporters often crossed international borders, making the multi-country experience part of the tournament's appeal.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of country

Adjective

Another room over, regulars sat clustered around a long bench under a wall-sized sunset mural, while sports fan pennants decorate the rustic interior.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
And the vindaloo sauce, ruddy and rustic, slowly unfolds with intellectual complexity before delivering a primal punch.

— Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of rustic

Adjective

The filmmaker contrasts her bucolic nature scenes with shots of the giant ships passing by and the interiors and exteriors of the factories located near the island, belching smoke and lit up at night like a forbidding theme park.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
The two set out with Ross, a raucous party boy, and the three drive to a secluded, bucolic manor.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026