accost

/ə'kɔst/
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accost

A man was accosted by a stranger on the street.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To approach and speak to someone, often in a bold, confrontational, or unwelcome manner: This is the most common meaning. It implies initiating contact, especially with a stranger, in a way that can be aggressive, challenging, or intrusive.
    • To approach someone with an offer of sexual favors, especially as a prostitute: This is a specific, often legal or formal, usage describing a particular type of unwelcome approach.
Usage

The verb "accost" is transitive and requires a direct object (the person being approached). It carries a negative or neutral connotation, rarely positive. It describes the act of confronting someone directly, often unexpectedly.

Examples

  • General Confrontational Approach:

    • He was accosted by a reporter as he left the courthouse.
    • A strange man accosted her on the dark street, demanding money.
    • The activist accosted the politician with difficult questions about the new policy.

  • Specific Offer of Sexual Favors:

    • The police arrested the individual for accosting passersby in the park.
    • She felt harassed after being accosted by several men on that street corner.
Advanced Usage
  • Legal/Judicial Context: In legal terminology, "accost" is often used specifically for the crime of solicitation.
    • The defendant was charged with accosting for immoral purposes.
Variants and Related Words
  • Accost is primarily used as a verb. The noun form "accost" (meaning the act of accosting) is very rare in modern English.
  • Accosting (gerund/noun): The act of accosting someone.
    • The accosting happened in broad daylight.
Synonyms
  • Approach: (more neutral) To come near or nearer to.
  • Confront: To face in a hostile or argumentative way.
  • Solicit: (in the specific sense) To approach someone with a request or offer, especially of a sexual nature.
  • Buttonhole: To detain someone in conversation, often against their will.
Antonyms
  • Avoid: To keep away from.
  • Ignore: To refuse to take notice of.
  • Shun: To persistently avoid.
Related Phrases/Idioms
  • To be accosted by: This is the standard passive construction describing the experience of being approached.
    • Tourists are often accosted by vendors in the market.
accost

A man was accosted by a stranger on the street.

Verb
  1. approach with an offer of sexual favors
    • he was solicited by a prostitute
    • The young man was caught soliciting in the park
  2. speak to someone

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