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
In one of those, a group of young Israeli soldiers accost Salim and Noor after the military unexpectedly pushes up the Palestinians’ curfew.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Taylor was attempting to join her castmates onstage after the 2025 movie won Best Picture, one of six awards bestowed on the dark comedy-action film, when the guard allegedly accosted her and Abdy, reported TMZ.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
All of the laws attacking transgender people actually negatively affect all women… people getting accosted in bathrooms are cis women often.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
In one example, an on-duty Postal Service worker flipped off and verbally accosted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
—Houston Keene, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accost
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Taylor was attempting to join her castmates onstage after the 2025 movie won Best Picture, one of six awards bestowed on the dark comedy-action film, when the guard allegedly accosted her and Abdy, reported TMZ.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
All of the laws attacking transgender people actually negatively affect all women… people getting accosted in bathrooms are cis women often.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
In one example, an on-duty Postal Service worker flipped off and verbally accosted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
—Houston Keene, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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Galvin later confronted the man who had messaged Kianna, who told her several different stories, according to Childs’ report.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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But activists say Beijing is becoming less willing to release prisoners who have confronted it over human rights.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Instead, approach him with curiosity.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
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One way of approaching this is to go back to our earlier discussion about attitudes.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Upon arrival in the early morning, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames.—
Kayla Bartkowski,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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Consumers who may never attend a fashion week can encounter Saudi brands through viral videos, celebrity endorsements, or influencer styling.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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