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
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
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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The driver's identity hasn't been released and it's not yet known whether the crash was intentional, or why the man had been approaching the White House at the time, the newspaper noted.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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And with both the holiday-shopping season fast approaching and the latest ransomware attack on Muji’s logistics and delivery servicer Askul, some IT experts are warning all to be even more vigilant.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bono also alluded to the current challenges confronting America.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
22 Oct. 2025
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In videos spread across social media, protesters are shown, some confronting law enforcement and recording the raid with their phones.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accosting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accosting. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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