ivory tower
noun
1
: an impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems
2
: a secluded place that affords the means of treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist attitude
especially
: a place of learning
Examples of ivory tower in a Sentence
The book was written by some college professor who's spent her entire professional life in an ivory tower.
Recent Examples on the Web
Put frankly, dismissing intention has boxed the ivory tower into a corner for its ability to handle difficult conversations relating to religion.
—
Matthew Mayhew, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The ivory tower career politicians are out of touch with America and their arrogance is disgusting.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Sep. 2025
And while some may say academics exist in an ivory tower, the experience of welcoming generations of young people into our institutions each year provides a constant reminder of what is gained by educating young adults to ask why and why not rather than to rely on rote certainty.
—Brendan Harley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
So, a bunch of college professors sitting in their ivory tower, twiddling their thumbs, come up with these weird terms.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ivory tower
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Matthew Mayhew, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The ivory tower career politicians are out of touch with America and their arrogance is disgusting.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Sep. 2025
And while some may say academics exist in an ivory tower, the experience of welcoming generations of young people into our institutions each year provides a constant reminder of what is gained by educating young adults to ask why and why not rather than to rely on rote certainty.
—Brendan Harley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
So, a bunch of college professors sitting in their ivory tower, twiddling their thumbs, come up with these weird terms.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ivory tower
Cite this Entry
“Ivory tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ivory%20tower. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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