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
Some decade and a monster contract extension later, Bonitto is the ringleader of an outside-linebacker group in Denver that verbally accost each other inside the locker room (mostly just Bonitto and Cooper, and mostly in jest) and compete in most every rep inside the facility.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
For instance, the Alfie who was very serious about Mindy one night before would not suddenly bail because her ex — whom Mindy blocked everywhere — rudely accosted her at her job.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Senators are accosted daily by a robust Capitol Hill press corps (which once included me and occasionally still does).
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 2 Dec. 2025
The quick-thinking Secretary of War immediately starts live-streaming the event before being accosted by Director of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who ends up shooting a dog in a scenario seemingly plucked from Noem’s memoir, which caused a stir during the 2024 election.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
For instance, the Alfie who was very serious about Mindy one night before would not suddenly bail because her ex — whom Mindy blocked everywhere — rudely accosted her at her job.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Senators are accosted daily by a robust Capitol Hill press corps (which once included me and occasionally still does).
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 2 Dec. 2025
The quick-thinking Secretary of War immediately starts live-streaming the event before being accosted by Director of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who ends up shooting a dog in a scenario seemingly plucked from Noem’s memoir, which caused a stir during the 2024 election.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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When the mother-in-law entered Simon’s bedroom to tell him and his wife about it, Simon appeared visibly upset and left the room to confront Toth.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Limiting Walker would force Darnold to confront his demons.—
Hank Gola,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As Farthing was assisting in traffic control, a man approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back, sheriff's office spokesperson Kim Peters said in a news release.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
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And now, as the Super Bowl approaches, that pride is about to reach an even bigger stage.—
Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2024, Chen Goldberg encountered a problem familiar to many senior operators.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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The majority of people the students encountered were supportive.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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