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
LeBron has also fought for his son, accosting ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith at courtside of a recent Lakers game and rebuking him for making his criticism too personal.
—
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2025
On Thursday, April 3, Jasleen Singh took to her TikTok account to post a video of herself accosting Akaash about the interview, following Trump’s announcement of sweeping global tariffs that resulted in an immediate stock market free fall.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Its harm is felt when a reporter accosts a convalescing patient in the hospital, when a private detective peers through a neighbor's bedroom window for weeks, and when a photographer snaps an opportunistic photo of a woman's underwear.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Ozturk was accosted on the street and whisked away in an unmarked vehicle.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2025
On Thursday, April 3, Jasleen Singh took to her TikTok account to post a video of herself accosting Akaash about the interview, following Trump’s announcement of sweeping global tariffs that resulted in an immediate stock market free fall.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Its harm is felt when a reporter accosts a convalescing patient in the hospital, when a private detective peers through a neighbor's bedroom window for weeks, and when a photographer snaps an opportunistic photo of a woman's underwear.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Ozturk was accosted on the street and whisked away in an unmarked vehicle.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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Devon confronts Michaela at the Kells' Labor Day gala, her anger and suspicions boiling over.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
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You could also be confronted or challenged with a significant partnership that demands your full attention.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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As the wide-ranging conversation was approaching its end, Wood seized the opportunity to offer a long-overdue apology to Handler.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
25 May 2025
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When he was pulled over, Wali slammed on the brakes, something the officer who initially approached Wali’s vehicle noted.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Related Stories 3 Killed, 5 Injured in Mass Stabbing at German Festival At Least 28 Injured in Possible Attack in Munich Ahead of World Leaders Meeting Germany has encountered a rise in knife crime in recent years.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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Police did not encounter Ernest Holmes, but an officer patrolling the neighborhood reported encountering a gray Jeep Renegade driving slowly by Shina Holmes' residence, then turning around and leaving.—
John Lynch,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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