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
On Thursday, April 3, Jasleen Singh took to her TikTok account to post a video of herself accosting Akaash about the interview, following Trump’s announcement of sweeping global tariffs that resulted in an immediate stock market free fall.
—
Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Its harm is felt when a reporter accosts a convalescing patient in the hospital, when a private detective peers through a neighbor's bedroom window for weeks, and when a photographer snaps an opportunistic photo of a woman's underwear.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Ozturk was accosted on the street and whisked away in an unmarked vehicle.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
On April 16, 2022, Guevara-Espinoza and an accomplice accosted the victim with guns drawn and demanded his car keys while he was parked in the 3700 block of Fillmore Street, according to prosecutors.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Its harm is felt when a reporter accosts a convalescing patient in the hospital, when a private detective peers through a neighbor's bedroom window for weeks, and when a photographer snaps an opportunistic photo of a woman's underwear.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Ozturk was accosted on the street and whisked away in an unmarked vehicle.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
On April 16, 2022, Guevara-Espinoza and an accomplice accosted the victim with guns drawn and demanded his car keys while he was parked in the 3700 block of Fillmore Street, according to prosecutors.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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That’s not the only way Leo XIV echoed the voice of his predecessor, Like the late Pope Francis, Leo has also been a strong supporter of the need to confront the threats of climate change.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2025
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But the best leaders rise above the fray, and to this point Devers hasn’t reached a point where his first instinct when confronted by a challenge like this is to lift his team up.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Soon after a deputy approached the boys and was able to get the gun, according to the sheriff's office.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Charlie encounters these former child actors now living in various states of desperation, from struggling Etsy artist/caregiver Amber to DJ Bebe to college professor Cece to orchard manager Delia — and a surprise fifth sister, Felicity, living off the grid as a successful mixed-media artist.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
9 May 2025
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The fact Maresca felt secure enough to make either selection — in the Conference League knockout stage, no less — underlines the total lack of jeopardy Chelsea have encountered on their road to the final in Wroclaw, save for one nervy second half in their qualifier against Servette back in August.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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