as in approaching
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 accosting
Court records show that 60-year-old Bradley Kyle Martin, of Dearborn Heights, is charged with using a computer or internet to communicate with another person to commit a crime and accosting children for immoral purposes.
—
Dejanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
First accosting Zeke in the Ponderosa parking lot with a completely unsolicited offer of mentorship, George seems determined, for no apparent reason, to mold the young man in his image.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Fallon quipped that White must not be able to leave the house for fear of actors accosting him asking to be on the show.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2026
Maybe the white-haired woman in the Phillies hoodie has done something more egregious than being outhustled for a home run ball in the stands at LoanDepot Park in Miami, and then accosting the dad who retrieved it and gave it to his son for the kid's birthday.
—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
The trailer features minimal dialogue, and Farrell, 49, is seen running through the streets and accosting casino employees at one point.
—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Dejanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
First accosting Zeke in the Ponderosa parking lot with a completely unsolicited offer of mentorship, George seems determined, for no apparent reason, to mold the young man in his image.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Fallon quipped that White must not be able to leave the house for fear of actors accosting him asking to be on the show.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2026
Maybe the white-haired woman in the Phillies hoodie has done something more egregious than being outhustled for a home run ball in the stands at LoanDepot Park in Miami, and then accosting the dad who retrieved it and gave it to his son for the kid's birthday.
—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
The trailer features minimal dialogue, and Farrell, 49, is seen running through the streets and accosting casino employees at one point.
—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accosting
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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With two or three roster spots still to fill for next season, the Heat is also on its way to approaching the first apron of $209 million.
Verb
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Business leaders, policymakers, researchers, and educators are confronting questions as consequential as those faced 250 years ago.
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Authorities plan to shut down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran as mourners commemorate the life of Khamenei, who led Iran for decades with an iron fist while confronting the West.
Cite this Entry
“Accosting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosting. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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