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.
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Recent Examples of accosted
If sharing is so great at bringing people together why, when accosted with an unceasing soliloquy of self-disclosure, do so many feel the urge to flee?
—
Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
In that incident, the victim was accosted by two men who demanded valuables.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 May 2026
In previous years, the 31-year-old originally from Chicago might have lashed back when accosted on the ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Robinson, who police say has a previous conviction for indecent exposure and lewd conduct, accosted multiple women in the area on Sunday, police said.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
At one point during the dizzying saga, the actor is accosted by two fans at a grocery store who drastically overshare about how much his work means to them.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
When this writer foolishly forgot her iPods inside the Palais, the 15-minute walk to fetch them — during which I was almost toppled over by wind and accosted by sleet — was enough to make her hole up in her hotel room for the rest of the day.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 28 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
Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
In that incident, the victim was accosted by two men who demanded valuables.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 May 2026
In previous years, the 31-year-old originally from Chicago might have lashed back when accosted on the ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Robinson, who police say has a previous conviction for indecent exposure and lewd conduct, accosted multiple women in the area on Sunday, police said.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
At one point during the dizzying saga, the actor is accosted by two fans at a grocery store who drastically overshare about how much his work means to them.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
When this writer foolishly forgot her iPods inside the Palais, the 15-minute walk to fetch them — during which I was almost toppled over by wind and accosted by sleet — was enough to make her hole up in her hotel room for the rest of the day.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 28 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accosted
Verb
-
As evening approached, attendees packed the concert area in anticipation of Common’s performance.—
J.M. Banks
June 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
-
Dirk and Martine, had first approached James and Jeff about renovating the existing lodge.—
Sarah Kingdom,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Both tournaments brought disappointment and his reign as coach ended after being confronted at the team’s hotel in Abidjan by angry supporters.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Video of the incident shows Backs being confronted and falling backward.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accosted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosted. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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