accost

verb

Definition of accostnext
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

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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 Probably her most famous photo, an only-in-New-York moment, depicts a heavily garbed Hasidic Jew who has somehow wandered onto a nudist beach at Jacob Riis Park, in Queens, only to be accosted by a stark-naked posing bodybuilder. — Arthur Lubow, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 Three snaps into his outing, when an Eagles safety banged him a moment after an incompletion, Kelce whirled in anger and accosted him. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025 Haynes’ relatives reportedly told police that the woman had accosted Haynes at his workplace, Highland Hospital. — Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025 The couple's Sussex Squad online supporters spotted author Tom Bower in the audience, with one fan accosting the author. — Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
  1. confront
  2. approach
  3. encounter
Verb
  • Shortly before his death, A.B. confronted Lilly in his office and threatened to expose her for misappropriating funds, illegally securing contracts, trading favors with different vendors and sneaking individuals into the White House.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 23 Mar. 2025
  • We are increasingly confronted with insurmountable global challenges, conflicts that defy easy solutions, and systemic injustices woven into society's fabric.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of confront
Verb
  • During March 6’s NBA exhibition match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, James approached Smith on the sidelines and confronted him about his comments about Bronny.
    — Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Having addressed many of their biggest needs in free agency, how should the Vikings approach the draft?
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of approach
Verb
  • In 2003, a German graduate student named Britta Späth encountered the McKay conjecture, one of the biggest open problems in the mathematical realm known as group theory.
    — Leila Sloman, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2025
  • After college, the Florida native encountered her first hurdle at the gates of medical schools.
    — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of encounter

Browse Nearby Words

accords
accost
accosted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of accost for Spanish Speakers

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