1
as in rural
of, relating to, associated with, or typical of open areas with few buildings or people
painted a pastoral scene of a flower-filled meadow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ministerial
of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
pastoral advice to a young couple preparing to marry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pastorale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pastoral
Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Farm Blanc et Rouge Farm stays are common throughout Paso Robles, and this charming concept hits all the marks with its peaceful setting and pastoral design.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
As with Home, the story is about a return to the pastoral, at least ostensibly: Marina (Maggie Siff, always two ticks better than her material) is a broadcast journalist who’s trying to settle down after a career spent in war zones.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for pastoral
Adjective
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
Farm Blanc et Rouge Farm stays are common throughout Paso Robles, and this charming concept hits all the marks with its peaceful setting and pastoral design.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
The paintings on the wall showed off autumnal pastorals and hunting scenes.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
As with Home, the story is about a return to the pastoral, at least ostensibly: Marina (Maggie Siff, always two ticks better than her material) is a broadcast journalist who’s trying to settle down after a career spent in war zones.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for pastoral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pastoral
Adjective
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The group created a canvassing operation of more than 500 employees who relentlessly knocked on doors in rural areas of the state and left-leaning Madison and Milwaukee.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2025
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Many rural areas simply didn't have the technological resources.—
Felicia Faber,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This joint ministerial decision was designed to lend legitimacy to the process established under the EU-Turkey deal, but was mired in logistical and legal challenges.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
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Their efforts were undermined by regular flux at ministerial level, with the UK having had four prime ministers in as many years.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But the trend at the giddiest heights of real estate isn’t the waft of a Brady Bunch idyll.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
22 Mar. 2025
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Houses have always been haunted, but, whereas poltergeists of yore troubled the suburban idyll of white America, in these shows the scariest spectre is a disappearing profit margin.—
Jennifer Wilson,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In fact, the opening moments play out like an elegy for the whole nation: a school boarded up, with empty corridors and empty classrooms.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
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As photographed by Austin Shelton, the widescreen images — and even the vertical TikTok videos braided alongside — convey a hopeful vision of their future, more fresh start than elegy.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Then, using his talents playing the lyre and singing psalms, David grew to be a supportive comfort to the possibly mad King Saul (Ali Suliman) as well as begin a romance with Saul’s daughter, Michal (Indy Lewis).—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
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The Lady Olive certainly sank: All of its crew members escaped in lifeboats, singing psalms to stave off hypothermia, and were saved after 36 hours at sea.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This is a lovely fundraiser to assist in the preservation of the cemetery, and the day is filled with master gardeners offering advice, madrigals singing, an archaeology talk, refreshments, kids’ activities and lots of lovely spring plants for sale.—
Janet Kusterer,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Mar. 2025
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The service and concert will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the church, 815 S. Washington St. Castle Singers are vocalists who perform a variety of chamber repertoire, varying from Renaissance madrigals and motets to contemporary pop and vocal jazz.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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From cooperative platformers to historical epics, NPR staff and contributors have rounded up the latest from the best and biggest games of 2025 so far.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2025
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Nowhere was that more true than at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, where Manchester City and Chelsea played out their third game in a four-match epic.—
Jessy Parker Humphreys,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Regardless if they’re officially deemed Masters collections or not, golf brands and fans are well aware that anything floral and/or pink, green and yellow is an ode to professional golf’s first major and the unofficial start to the amateur golf season.—
Michael LoRé,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Because this clever, funny play is both an attentive ode to Greenspan’s extraordinary artistry as a playwright-performer and an unsparing meditation on the psychic and financial precariousness of playwriting as a creative life.—
Laura Collins-Hughes,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pastoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pastoral. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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