as in to confront
to approach and speak to (someone) often in an angry, aggressive, or unwanted way
He was accosted by peddlers selling touristy trinkets on the street. She was so famous that people would accost her on the street and ask for an autograph.
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Recent Examples of accost
Ahmad Sami Hassanzadeh, 44, was in a park, playing chess in the western city of Herat with friends when they were accosted by members of the Taliban vice squad.
—
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 17 June 2025
One suspect has been arrested and charged with a felony, Glenview police said, in connection with a crime in which three men with firearms accosted a couple who were returning to their Glenview home at about 11 p.m. on April 21.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
So when she’s accosted, what do people want to scream about?
—Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, while the band was on tour and riots were unfolding across the nation, the band was accosted by guardsmen while stopping for gas in a Michigan town under curfew.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 17 June 2025
One suspect has been arrested and charged with a felony, Glenview police said, in connection with a crime in which three men with firearms accosted a couple who were returning to their Glenview home at about 11 p.m. on April 21.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
So when she’s accosted, what do people want to scream about?
—Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, while the band was on tour and riots were unfolding across the nation, the band was accosted by guardsmen while stopping for gas in a Michigan town under curfew.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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When wage garnishment begins, companies will be confronted more directly with the severity of their workers’ financial situations, says MacPhetres.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
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Participants who intentionally sought discomfort – from public speaking to confronting unfamiliar ideas – reported greater long-term growth, engagement, and meaning.—
ESMT Berlin,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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This wasn’t the first time a mayoral candidate approached another to drop out of the race.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
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The Harley-Davidson Homecoming concerts at Veterans Park July 12 are proceeding as planned after the concerts July 11 were called off around 6 p.m. due to approaching storms.—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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That was the first thing that came to my mind: A woman who disguises herself as a man, encounters a man who disguises himself as a woman.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
10 July 2025
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The meeting was the second time Rubio and Lavrov had encountered each other since the secretary took up the top job.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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