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

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 The incident was largely forgotten until the last few days, when a farmer in rural Minnesota discovered a circular metal object about 11 feet in diameter lay amid the forest of corn stalks. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 That includes the rural Ohio voter base, which historically leans conservative. — Saige Miller, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 And while suburban or rural locales might offer the luxury of space—a sprawling front yard for your 12-foot skeletons to roam free, for instance—in New York City, the limitations of scale just mean people have to get creative. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 One person died in a rollover crash in a rural area outside of Woodland in Yolo County, officials said Wednesday. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rural

Adjective

His retreat to pastoral family life was a necessary step in reconnecting with his own musical talents.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026
In today’s commercial age of plenty, the most important task of the dust jacket is to match a book to your mood, from the pastoral watercolor tones of the travel narrative or cosy domestic romance, to the dark hues of the murder mystery.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of pastoral

Adjective

Early last year, Russia released American school teacher Marc Fogel, and in 2024 journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan were among those released from Russian custody in a complicated multi-country prisoner swap.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
But also multi-country emigration tales, as in Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of country

Adjective

His creator, an unnamed basket-weaver (Peter Dinklage), braided him as a mate for a lonely virgin, a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) who stomps around her rustic village smelling like sushi and tossing her head back in an Eliza Doolittle guffaw.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Think earthy stone surfaces, deep woods, and sleek modern headboards juxtaposed with the kind of rustic, wooly blankets that would fit nicely into Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of rustic

Adjective

That’s why the Gemini Express stovetop espresso maker has made my morning routine all the more bucolic, all the more pastoral.

— Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
The building itself is a marvel, along with the dreamy, bucolic setting, laced with ivy, lemon trees, and cascading stone fountains.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026