as in confronts
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accosts
Verb
-
Unspoken fears or doubts shape your expression as Venus confronts Saturn.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 May 2026 -
Abdullah was armed and patrolling the house of worship on a routine Monday morning because leaders of the mosque have long recognized the threat their community confronts due to the rise in hate crimes.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, as the day progresses, Mercury approaches a square to taskmaster Saturn, which becomes exact very early tomorrow.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
As the pair approaches the elevation point for their 11,000-foot plunge, Domingo appears to get a case of the first-time jitters.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Accosts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosts. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
