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
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
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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Still, the company reported a $110 million net loss for that same period, due in large part to spending of $90 million on research and development, approaching the $107 million spent on R&D for all of 2024.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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This follows reports of Netflix approaching iHeartMedia with a similar deal and a THR report of the streamer sending dozens of requests to agents at WME, UTA and CAA in an attempt to sign on more video podcasters.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In a longer video the user shared to YouTube, a group of people can be seen confronting the guest at the bottom of the lift hill's stairs.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
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The deputy was seen on video struggling through makeshift barricades of mattresses and furniture before confronting Camacho, who was holding the boy in a chokehold with one hand while brandishing a knife in the other.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accosting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosting. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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