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.

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