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
At the end of episode 6, Lois is accosted by a masked man wielding a knife.
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Nick Romano, EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
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.
—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
See all Example Sentences for accost 
Nick Romano, EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
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.
—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
See all Example Sentences for accost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accost
Verb
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In a poignant sequence in the first book, Tara is confronted, each morning, with having to explain to Thomas what has happened, and what will occur again.Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
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Where to watch:Disney+, video on demand 6. 'Civil War' With his riveting cautionary tale, director Alex Garland takes our current political and cultural divide to a disturbing place and makes audiences confront what an actual modern civil war would look like.Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Emily approaches each day with a positive attitude and strives to truly learn and understand the content that she is exposed to.Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 14 Dec. 2024
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The main iPhone line has been updated annually, but the iPhone SE still ships with a chip approaching three years old.Ewan Spence, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On the holidays themselves, which fall midweek, travelers will encounter minimal congestion.Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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The current recall involves smaller travel mugs whose lid threads can shrink when encountering heat and torque, potentially causing the lid to detach while consumers are using the mugs.Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Accost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accost. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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