as in approached
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of accosted
After delivering remarks at a press conference on the Capitol steps, Johnson prepared to take questions from reporters, but was instead accosted by Houlahan, his Democratic colleague, who delivered a heated plea to reopen the government, as seen in footage shared by CNN.
—
Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
But, at a second line, an elderly man with an Eastern European accent, wearing a green corduroy jacket, accosted him.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Server Josh Garner says he was accosted last week by an angry man.
—Tovia Smith, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Coristine and a woman were standing next to their car on Swann Street, several blocks from Logan Circle, when they were allegedly accosted by multiple suspects, according to police.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
According to a police affidavit based on hotel video footage of the scuffle and the driver’s statement to authorities, Sanchez accosted the driver of a box truck that backed into the loading docks at a hotel.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
When her mother leaves the room for a moment, she's accosted by a demonic entity that toys with her through funhouse-style reflections, creating this evil doppelganger of Judy.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
After the creatures show up, we’re left running (stark naked) through the labyrinthine walls of Hell, as main protagonist Aiden, before being accosted by a deranged cult back in the real world.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
But, at a second line, an elderly man with an Eastern European accent, wearing a green corduroy jacket, accosted him.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Server Josh Garner says he was accosted last week by an angry man.
—Tovia Smith, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Coristine and a woman were standing next to their car on Swann Street, several blocks from Logan Circle, when they were allegedly accosted by multiple suspects, according to police.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
According to a police affidavit based on hotel video footage of the scuffle and the driver’s statement to authorities, Sanchez accosted the driver of a box truck that backed into the loading docks at a hotel.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
When her mother leaves the room for a moment, she's accosted by a demonic entity that toys with her through funhouse-style reflections, creating this evil doppelganger of Judy.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
After the creatures show up, we’re left running (stark naked) through the labyrinthine walls of Hell, as main protagonist Aiden, before being accosted by a deranged cult back in the real world.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accosted
Verb
-
Worrell was approached by his colleagues to be Council president last term, but didn’t actively pursue the role, instead opting to throw his support behind Louijeune, a City Hall source told the Herald.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Officers stopped the pursuit for safety reasons as the car approached 7th Avenue.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tellingly, the protesters in Nepal’s September uprising angrily confronted Indian TV crews, associating them with the country’s political crisis.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
While other Phoenix players confronted Horry about the foul, Suns forwards Amar’e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw, who were getting up to check into the game, were deemed to have left the bench area and suspended for the critical Game 5.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accosted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosted. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share