Accost

To approach and speak to someone in a bold, often aggressive or unwelcome manner.

verb

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Imagine This

Imagine you’re walking down a quiet street and a stranger steps directly into your path, leaning in and loudly asking for money or demanding your attention. The interruption feels invasive and aggressive.

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Sounds Like

uh-KOST

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Looks Like

looks like 'a cost' — the word visually contains 'cost' and suggests entering someone’s space

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Remember This

Accost typically carries a negative, confrontational nuance. It is not used for polite or friendly greetings; use terms like 'approach' or 'greet' when the interaction is courteous.

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Other Forms

accostsverb

accostedverb

accostingverb

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Connect With

confront, waylay, harass, approach aggressively

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Note

Common mistakes: don’t use accost to describe a casual conversation. It implies pressure, intrusion, or hostility. Often used in reporting or narration to convey a threatening or pushy interaction.

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Study Deeper

Examples

A street vendor accosted me as I left the station, shouting about his wares.
The celebrity was accosted by a group of fans who crowded around her limousine with questions.

Synonyms

confrontwaylayharassassail

Antonyms

ignoreavoidpass by

Etymology

From Middle French accoster, meaning to come near or bring to, originally used in nautical contexts; the sense broadened to include bold or aggressive verbal approach in general usage.

Mnemonic

AC-COST: Picture someone stepping into your personal space and putting a 'cost' on your time and attention—the moment they accost you, your quiet is converted into a social cost.