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 2026 World Cup has shone a spotlight on academic spaces being at the heart of the craze and fandom for Argentina in Bangladesh.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In 2021, Brouillette pursued a certification to become a professional firefighter through a program at Southern Maine Community College, which required both academic classes and field exercises, according to court documents.
    — Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 July 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.

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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 22 Jul. 2026.

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