as in approaching
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 accosting
Ryan Josue Rojas, 20, of Herriman, Utah, was arraigned Sunday on one count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, Michigan State Police said.
—
Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Fallon quipped that White must not be able to leave the house for fear of actors accosting him asking to be on the show.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2026
Maybe the white-haired woman in the Phillies hoodie has done something more egregious than being outhustled for a home run ball in the stands at LoanDepot Park in Miami, and then accosting the dad who retrieved it and gave it to his son for the kid's birthday.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The trailer features minimal dialogue, and Farrell, 49, is seen running through the streets and accosting casino employees at one point.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Fallon quipped that White must not be able to leave the house for fear of actors accosting him asking to be on the show.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2026
Maybe the white-haired woman in the Phillies hoodie has done something more egregious than being outhustled for a home run ball in the stands at LoanDepot Park in Miami, and then accosting the dad who retrieved it and gave it to his son for the kid's birthday.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The trailer features minimal dialogue, and Farrell, 49, is seen running through the streets and accosting casino employees at one point.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accosting
Verb
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Around the same time, Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 8, were with their mother and younger sibling approaching a crosswalk at Triunfo Canyon Road.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Women approaching perimenopause, or anyone with a family history of osteoporosis, may benefit from talking to a doctor about bone density screening before a fracture forces the conversation.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Its airports have remained operational, its economy benefited from a larger citizen population (rather than relying on expatriates), and Tehran has been more cautious in confronting the kingdom directly.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
4 June 2026
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There will be an all-over-the-place nature to this conversation because, after all, that is most reflective of the complications confronting the Royals.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accosting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosting. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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