There are many synonyms for the word "city". Some popular alternatives are metropolis, urban center, town, municipality, and megalopolis. A metropolis is a large and busy city with a lot of people and a bustling economy. An urban center is an area that is highly developed and populated, typically including a downtown core with commercial and residential areas. A town is smaller than a city and usually has a more laid-back atmosphere. A municipality refers to a self-governing political entity that can encompass both urban and rural areas. Lastly, a megalopolis is a very large and interconnected urban area comprised of several smaller cities or towns that have grown together into one large cityscape.