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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Smith is approaching two years since deciding to make the managerial leap across the Atlantic.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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The other raises hers to threaten the predators approaching their position.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it—confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
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The star compares calling out the sketch, which poked fun at her accent and teeth, to confronting a bully.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accosting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosting. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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