verb
accost
uh-KAWST/əˈkɔːst/
To approach and speak to someone aggressively or intrusively.
A stranger accosts the shopper outside the store and demands money.
Etymology
The pieces describe coming up to someone’s side. This physical approach became approaching and speaking to someone; in the selected sense, that encounter is specifically bold or aggressive.
In context
Let us make haste, she will recognize me. I don’t want to have that girl accost me in the street.
More examples
- Reporters accosted him as he left the courthouse.
- She dislikes being accosted by aggressive street sellers.
- The guard intervened when a customer began to accost the clerk.
Forms
accost · accosts · accosted · accosting