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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With the Fourth of July approaching, officials are urging pet owners to take extra precautions.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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That’s because with the first 2026 FIFA World Cup game in Miami approaching, FIFA prohibits stadiums from being named for companies that aren’t official FIFA sponsors.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Not that visual impact is unimportant, but how a cast of characters exists in space and time while confronting a specific set of circumstances, conceived of by a playwright at a specific moment with its own set of theatrical mores, is vital.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
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The aftermath of San Antonio’s Game 3 victory spilled beyond the arena, as social media videos seemingly showed Knicks fans physically confronting Spurs supporters.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accosting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosting. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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