Meaning & use

accost

verb·Advanced

To approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively, often in an unwelcome or threatening way.

See it in a sentence

A stranger accosted her on the street, demanding she hand over her wallet.

Reporters accosted the celebrity with questions the moment she left the building.

A note on using this word

Usually implies the approach is unwanted, aggressive, or intimidating, unlike neutral words like approach.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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