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 As a kid in rural Venezuela, Widmer Agelviz Sanguino would be awakened in the middle of the night by the screeches of nearby owls. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025 The film follows Hailey Freeman, a matriarch leading the descendants of African American farmers who escaped the U.S. after the Civil War and settled in rural Canada. Okla Jones, Essence, 13 June 2025 Advocates say that the threat is most acute for public media stations, including a number in rural areas that rely on federal money for more than 30% of their budgets. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 June 2025 These cuts would take a particularly devastating toll on our state’s rural residents, whose hospitals and health systems rely heavily on Medicaid patients. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • The place just seems to be a charming pastoral town inhabited entirely by stunt people in tactical gear and mountain wear.
    Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 June 2025
  • Its rolling pastoral landscape looks like something out of a painting and while the vibe is super chill, there’s also some world-class culinary options on Lopez.
    Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Fellow country singer Luke Bryan is also returning as a judge, making Lionel Richie the only non-country artist in a prominent role on the show.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
  • To some, the look echoed what has been a big night for country music—especially for non-country musicians.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024
Adjective
  • After getting engaged in 2021, the two tied the knot on Aug. 17, 2024, in a rustic farm ceremony.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 15 June 2025
  • Blending contemporary luxury with rustic Tuscan charm, the property features landscaped gardens, swimming pools with lazy river-flow current systems, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine with fresh local ingredients.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Found near Bruton in Somerset, The Newt in Somerset sits in some 800 acres of, yes, bucolic grounds.
    Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Seven minutes from bucolic Molly Maguire Historical Park in Frackville, Pennsylvania is the State Correctional Institution at Mahanoy.
    Dave Zirin, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rural

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!