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 Two-thirds of Egypt’s low-income residents live in rural areas. Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025 The problem with living in rural areas is that people often dump defenseless pets out there. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 The Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) awards money to low-income and rural school districts. Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025 The pastor lived on a farm in rural Florida that kept dogs outside and had a group of goats, according to the report, but the man wasn’t involved in their care. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural
Adjective
  • The look perfectly pairs with the pastoral setting, as if geese might gather near the kitchen door and need to be shooed away.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • In the intrepid garden (2023), a tapestry of worn saris is punctuated by decorative shelves holding small sculptures based on European porcelain figurines that depict pastoral fantasies of a harmonious, effortless relation to nature.
    Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 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
  • The frame’s branches keep it rustic, but the plethora of colorful gerber daisies and ferns at the base add brightness.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Every Style 25 of 44 Build a Ladder Shelf Build or purchase a wooden ladder shelf to add a rustic element to your bathroom decor.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The 37-year-old’s battered remains were found the next day along the bucolic Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air, 30 miles north of Baltimore.
    KC Baker, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Image The Colony by Annika Norlin In a bucolic forest in Sweden, the small band of misfits at the heart of Norlin’s novel forms a mysterious commune that may be a utopia or may be a nightmare, depending on your perspective.
    New York Times, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rural. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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