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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of accost
The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis 2 mission were accosted on Capitol Hill earlier this month by an aggressive man, who accused them of faking their moon mission.
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Mike Wall,
Space.com,
21 May 2026
In previous years, the 31-year-old originally from Chicago might have lashed back when accosted on the ice.
—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Robinson, who police say has a previous conviction for indecent exposure and lewd conduct, accosted multiple women in the area on Sunday, police said.
—
Joseph Serna,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
At one point during the dizzying saga, the actor is accosted by two fans at a grocery store who drastically overshare about how much his work means to them.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accost
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
21 May 2026
In previous years, the 31-year-old originally from Chicago might have lashed back when accosted on the ice.
—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Robinson, who police say has a previous conviction for indecent exposure and lewd conduct, accosted multiple women in the area on Sunday, police said.
—
Joseph Serna,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
At one point during the dizzying saga, the actor is accosted by two fans at a grocery store who drastically overshare about how much his work means to them.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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The episode ends with a heated exchange where Corlys confronts Rhaenyra for publicly styling his son as Addam of Hull, declining his request for his son to be acknowledged as a Velaryon by the crown.
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Rhaenyra realizes that she’s been played and confronts the child.
Verb
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With group play coming to a close and the Round of 32 approaching, the competition is heating up as teams look to punch their tickets to the knockout round in hopes of hoisting the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the final on Sunday, July 19.
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Tracy had approached the team about a contract extension late in the 2005 season, a bold request considering the team’s record.
Verb
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Each has plays — like a slow-roller up the third base line that requires a quick throw across the diamond — that no other position will encounter.
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The first time former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice encountered Kevin Warsh was in the 1980s.
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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