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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of accost
One older man violently accosts Noam over her views, calling her a provocateur.
—
Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
Indeed, to walk through a crowded room with Talese, 92, is to be accosted by men wanting to talk about suits.
—Sadie Stein, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
After the video was posted online, the victim who took the video and her husband were accosted by more than a dozen suspects in the Edge of Lowry’s courtyard and parking lot area and taken to a vacant unit, Chamberlain said Friday.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2024
The Bohemian Rhapsody star reflected on being accosted by police in a new interview.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
Indeed, to walk through a crowded room with Talese, 92, is to be accosted by men wanting to talk about suits.
—Sadie Stein, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
After the video was posted online, the victim who took the video and her husband were accosted by more than a dozen suspects in the Edge of Lowry’s courtyard and parking lot area and taken to a vacant unit, Chamberlain said Friday.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2024
The Bohemian Rhapsody star reflected on being accosted by police in a new interview.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
-
In fact, Maron used almost everything in his life to confront this loss.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Keating, 72, quickly interrupted McBride to confront Self, insisting that the chairman repeat his introduction of their colleague.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This panel will dive into the art of the cold read, providing actors with the tools to approach any audition with confidence, preparation, and authenticity.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Mar. 2025
-
But one of my adjustments took me a by surprise, and that is the quandary of how to approach lunch.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Charlie has an extraordinary ability to know without fail when someone is lying, and now for this season, Charlie continues her journey on the road across the country, encountering a new cast of characters and investigating crimes along the way.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Food and fuel are two of the most frequent ways that consumers encounter inflation, and those prices can fluctuate wildly on a month-by-month basis.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share