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
In a scene at the end of the first episode, Noah finishes giving a sermon and is accosted by mothers and aunts introducing their single daughters and nieces to the handsome, single rabbi.
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Liza Esquibias, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Just try to scroll through TikTok without being accosted (lovingly) by girlies walking to grab their morning coffees (or the real Scandi girls biking through their cities) while sporting bold color combinations and unexpected outfits.
—Angela Law, refinery29.com, 2 Apr. 2024
Behind them, the woman Curtis was accused of accosting at the mall relaxed into her husband’s embrace.
—Gina Barton, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024
Pharrell Williams faced an unexpected interruption when he was accosted by a PETA activist during the premiere of his Lego biopic, Piece by Piece.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for accost 
Liza Esquibias, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Just try to scroll through TikTok without being accosted (lovingly) by girlies walking to grab their morning coffees (or the real Scandi girls biking through their cities) while sporting bold color combinations and unexpected outfits.
—Angela Law, refinery29.com, 2 Apr. 2024
Behind them, the woman Curtis was accused of accosting at the mall relaxed into her husband’s embrace.
—Gina Barton, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024
Pharrell Williams faced an unexpected interruption when he was accosted by a PETA activist during the premiere of his Lego biopic, Piece by Piece.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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No matter how things play out in the men’s WarGames match, Rollins should make his presence felt with a major moment confronting Punk.Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
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Despite being confronted by the pastor, the man — who has not yet been identified by police — decided to put up a fight.Bailey Richards, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Of course, fans approach Ruffalo with other movies on their minds, too.Jack Smart, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
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Had you been approached about rebooting Wizards before?Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Commenters on both posts shared their own experiences encountering Penelope, some sharing photos and videos of the white deer.Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
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Samantha had encountered her twin around 7:15 a.m. on Nov. 20, finding her in the driver's seat of her Nissan Rogue and an unknown person in the passenger's seat holding her at gunpoint, their other sister Tamara wrote in a GoFundMe fundraising plea.Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near accost
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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