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ivory-tower

adjective

Definition of ivory-towernext
as in academic
very learned or educated but inexperienced in practical matters a large public university that needs as its president not some ivory-tower intellectual but a skilled administrator

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ivory-tower
academic
Adjective
  • The program aimed to help in the academic, professional and personal development of Black and brown women, until it was eliminated in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion cuts two years ago.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Georgia Tech in 2001 broke ground on an ambitious — and unproven — plan to to transform eight blocks of derelict lots in Midtown into an academic and corporate hub.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of academic
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.

Browse Nearby Words

itty-bitty
ivory-tower
ivory-towered
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Cite this Entry

“Ivory-tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ivory-tower. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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