as in to confront
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 accost
Ahmad Sami Hassanzadeh, 44, was in a park, playing chess in the western city of Herat with friends when they were accosted by members of the Taliban vice squad.
—
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 17 June 2025
One suspect has been arrested and charged with a felony, Glenview police said, in connection with a crime in which three men with firearms accosted a couple who were returning to their Glenview home at about 11 p.m. on April 21.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
So when she’s accosted, what do people want to scream about?
—Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, while the band was on tour and riots were unfolding across the nation, the band was accosted by guardsmen while stopping for gas in a Michigan town under curfew.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 17 June 2025
One suspect has been arrested and charged with a felony, Glenview police said, in connection with a crime in which three men with firearms accosted a couple who were returning to their Glenview home at about 11 p.m. on April 21.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
So when she’s accosted, what do people want to scream about?
—Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, while the band was on tour and riots were unfolding across the nation, the band was accosted by guardsmen while stopping for gas in a Michigan town under curfew.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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On the day she was murdered, Akter was pushing her son in a stroller with a friend when Masum confronted her.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
22 July 2025
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As Hailey follows the trail across borders and through layers of deception, he’s forced to confront both his personal demons and the bureaucratic system he’s sworn to uphold.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Surveillance video appears to show a man in a white shirt — later identified by cops as Mora Nunez — get off the moped and approach them from behind, gun in hand.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
25 July 2025
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Mills are seeing clients approach the season with a sense of cautious optimism.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 July 2025
Verb
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In the final minutes of The Hunting Wives, Sophie encounters Kyle on the road following a trip to the store.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 July 2025
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Navigating Difficult Ethical Waters The reality is that many professionals will encounter workplace scenarios that test their ethics and judgment.—
Elizabeth Pearson,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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