The Phantom Tollbooth — Vocabulary
Norton Juster
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	14	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book "What kind of a place is Expectations'?" inquired Milo, unable to see the humor and feeling very doubtful of the little man's sanity.†p.19.413 more inquire → inquired:asked about or looked into Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	10	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book Tock growled ominously; for he hated even the thought of demons.†p.78.29 more ominous → ominously:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	1	top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanies:travels with The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more Show sample from book "You will, of course, need a guide," said the king, "and, since he knows the obstacles so well, the Humbug has cheerfully volunteered to accompany you."p.99.81 more travel with Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
	1	top 100
accompany#2accompany → accompanying:provided together The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more Show sample from book "AS LOUD AS POSSIBLE," bellowed the doctor and two screeches and a bump accompanied his response.p.136.11 more accompany → accompanied:occurred at the same time as Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
	7	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book We'll banish them from the kingdom forever.†p.77.66 more expel or get rid of Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	8	top 2000
assortmentvariety (of something) She bought an assortment of candies to fill the party bags—chocolates, gummies, and lollipops.more Show sample from book Milo and 'rock wandered up and down the aisles looking at the wonderful assortment of words for sale.†p.47.27 more a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing Show general definition a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing
	3	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book "That's a ridiculous law," said Milo, quite indignantly.p.26.12 more Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	2	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book "Here are your sights, here are your sounds, and here," he said, handing Milo the last of them disdainfully, "are your words."†p.201.81 more disdain → disdainfully:with a lack of respect; or with a sense of superiority Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	2	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book He had a sharp, dangerous beak, and the one eye he chose to open stared down maliciously.†p.204.81 more malice → maliciously:with a desire to see others suffer; or in a threatening manner Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	3	top 1000
continuousconstant (uninterrupted) The national power grid is under almost continuous attack.more Show sample from book People with problems or grievances or arguments came from all over the land to seek advice, and even the two brothers, who by this time were fighting continuously, often called upon them to help decide matters of state.†p.75.92 more continuous → continuously:continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity Show general definition continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
	2	top 500
confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book "I usually use one at a time," he confided, as all but the smiling one disappeared again.†p.173.31 more Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
	4	top 2000
anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book "FAMINE!" roared the anguished Humbug, who suddenly realized that that was exactly what he'd eaten twenty-three bowls of.†p.186.93 more anguish → anguished:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind) Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
	3	top 1000
accustomaccustom → accustomed to:used to (have adapted to and have an expectation of) In the United States we're accustomed to forming our own opinion about the promises of advertisements and politicians.more Show sample from book Milo and Tock stood blinking in the bright light and, as their eyes became accustomed to it, the first things they saw were the king's advisers again rushing toward them.†p.78.92 more accustom → accustomed to:used to (adapted to something, so it seems normal) Show general definition to make someone used to something (used to is an expression that means someone has adapted to something, so it does not seem unusual) Show editor's word notes In professional environments, you may make a better impression by saying one is accustomed to something rather than one is used to something.
	2	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book The sky became quite gray and, along with it, the whole countryside seemed to lose its color and assume the same monotonous tone.†p.22.21 more lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	7
triviafacts or details that are generally considered unimportant The game show places a premium on remembering trivia.†more Show sample from book I am the Terrible Trivium, demon of petty tasks and worthless jobs, ogre of wasted effort, and monster of habit.†p.213.16 more trivia → trivium:a fact or bit of information that is generally considered unimportant Show context notes Trivia, the plural form of this word is used much more commonly than the singular form. Many Latin words that end in "um" are made plural by changing the "um" to "a"--such as trivium to trivia, bacterium to bacteria, and millennium to millennia. In modern writing, changing the "um" to "ums" is also accepted for many Latin words ending in um, but not for any of those listed above.
	4
ordinancelaw The city passed an ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.more Show sample from book It's local ordinance 574381-W" Opening the book again, Milo found Ordinance 574381-W "In the Doldrums, laughter is frowned upon and smiling is permitted only on alternate Thursdays.†p.26.63 more a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government Show general definition for ordinance (as in: passed the ordinance) a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government
	2	top 1000
strenuousdifficult (requiring much effort) The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.more Show sample from book Over the Humbug's strenuous objections, Milo and Tuck decided to swim, and, protesting loudly, the bug was dragged along with them toward the sea.†p.170.11 more Show general definition energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
	3
macabregruesome or death-related It is a macabre tale of the walking dead.more Show sample from book "I'm Faintly Macabre, the not-so-wicked Which," she continued, "and I'm certainly not going to harm you."†p.67.12 more disturbing and related to death or horror -- especially in a grim or eerie way Show general definition disturbing and related to death or horror -- especially in a grim or eerie way
	2
unkemptnot neat or cared for The hiker's unkempt hair and beard were evidence of his days spent roughing it in the wilderness.more Show sample from book He was an incredible size even sitting down, with long unkempt hair, bulging eyes, and a shape hardly worth speaking of.†p.219.31 more
	1	top 200
controversydisagreement The film benefited from the controversy.more Show sample from book Everyone loved the princesses because of their great beauty, their gentle ways, and their ability to settle all controversies fairly and reasonably.†p.75.9 controversy → controversies:disagreements Show general definition disagreement -- especially regarding a public issue that arouses strong feelings