To accost someone is to approach or confront them in an aggressive or confrontational manner. This could involve speaking to them aggressively, demanding something from them, or even physically blocking their path. Accosting someone can be intimidating, and is often seen as a form of harassment.
Here are ten sentences that clarify the meaning of accost:
- The man accosted the woman on the street, demanding that she give him her purse.
- The security guard accosted the teenager as she tried to leave the store, accusing her of shoplifting.
- The politician was accosted by a group of angry protesters as he left the building.
- The journalist accosted the celebrity at the airport, trying to get an interview.
- The beggar accosted passersby on the street, asking for spare change.
- The police officer accosted the driver for speeding, issuing him a ticket.
- The landlord accosted the tenant about the unpaid rent, threatening eviction.
- The salesman accosted shoppers in the mall, trying to sell them his product.
- The fan accosted the athlete outside the stadium, asking for an autograph.
- The teacher accosted the student in the hallway, asking why he was skipping class.
Here are some synonyms for accost:
- Confront
- Challenge
- Approach
- Stop
- Halt
- Intercept
- Buttonhole
- Harass
- Intimidate
- Disturb
Some antonyms could be:
- Ignore
- Avoid
- Bypass
- Evade
- Retreat
- Ignore
- Disregard
- Overlook
- Dismiss
- Neglect
Some related words might include “harassment,” “confrontation,” and “aggression.”
Phrasal verbs that could be related to accost include “buttonhole,” “stop and frisk,” and “pick a fight.”
Finally, here are a few idioms that might relate to accost:
- “To have a chip on one’s shoulder” – a phrase used to describe someone who is easily provoked and ready to start a fight or argument.
- “To give someone a piece of one’s mind” – a phrase used to describe confronting someone with one’s anger or disapproval.
- “To put someone on the spot” – a phrase used to describe putting someone in an uncomfortable or difficult situation, often through confrontation or questioning.
