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
Relevance
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
Early-career oncologists are only half as likely as late-career peers to practice in rural areas, according to a recent analysis by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
—
Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
The mailing address for the crime scene is in Crete, but Google Street View shows a rural area dominated by farmland with houses spaced far apart.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Repeating the blueprint of the 20th century Great Migration of 6 million African Americans from the nation’s rural South to Chicago and other Northern and Western cities, the 21st century New Great Migration was necessitated by the 2020s-era backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion.
—Tracy Baim, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Palm Beach County’s northern communities (Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens), sprawling western developments, rural areas and even central parts of the county are lucky to get a sporadic FM signal.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
The mailing address for the crime scene is in Crete, but Google Street View shows a rural area dominated by farmland with houses spaced far apart.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Repeating the blueprint of the 20th century Great Migration of 6 million African Americans from the nation’s rural South to Chicago and other Northern and Western cities, the 21st century New Great Migration was necessitated by the 2020s-era backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion.
—Tracy Baim, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Palm Beach County’s northern communities (Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens), sprawling western developments, rural areas and even central parts of the county are lucky to get a sporadic FM signal.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
-
Women-only programs include administrative assistant, missionary wife, and general studies in the department of Bible, while the men-only alternatives are missions, youth ministry, and pastoral theology.—
Olivia Empson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The grounds lean into a romantic, almost pastoral mood, with wildflower gardens, a freeform heated pool, and both a guest cottage and a finished pool house.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The expansion broadens the company’s country coverage and operational capacity, reflecting a shift away from step-by-step market entry toward multi-country team building.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
With large tables inside and an outdoor patio featuring a rustic fire pit, the eatery could easily fit a few families, a birthday party or even a business meeting.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Today’s popular tablescape often resembles an expensive country retreat, with an emphasis on rustic materials like stoneware and hand-turned wood.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Monteverdi is a place that invites you to embrace the slow rhythms of Tuscany, surrounded by nature in the UNESCO protected setting of the bucolic Val d’Orcia.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Which is the next big step in putting this bucolic area on the map – as one of the largest data center campuses in the world.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
