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accost

verb

/əˈkɒst/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of accost

To confront or approach someone in an aggressive or challenging manner.
"The journalist plans to accost the politician at the town hall meeting to hold him to account."

Detailed meaning of accost

It can also imply a demand for attention or to start a conversation or an altercation. For example, someone may be accosted by a panhandler on the street who demands money, or an individual may be accosted by a group of people who want to start a fight. The word can also be used in a less aggressive way, such as when someone approaches another person to ask for directions or to initiate a conversation. It implies a sense of boldness and directness in the approach and can have a negative connotation when used in a hostile or aggressive context. It can also imply a sense of interruption or interruption of someone's personal space.

Example sentences containing accost

1. If you wear that costume to the party, fans of the show will likely accost you for photographs.
2. The street vendor will accost passersby, trying to sell his wares.
3. As soon as the celebrity stepped out of the car, a crowd of journalists began to accost her.
4. When you arrive in the tourist area, be prepared for people to accost you with offers of guided tours.
5. The detective had to accost several individuals during his investigation to gather information.
6. I would rather not accost the manager with complaints the moment he walks in.

History and etymology of accost

The verb 'accost' has its etymological origins in French and Latin, reflecting the assertive nature of approaching someone. It is derived from the Middle French word 'accoster,' which means 'to approach' or 'to draw near.' Middle French borrowed this term from the Latin 'ad' (meaning 'to') and 'costa' (meaning 'side' or 'rib'). Therefore, 'accost' essentially means 'to come alongside' or 'to approach from the side.' This etymology emphasizes the direct and confrontational aspect of the action, suggesting an assertive and often challenging manner when one approaches or confronts another person. It conveys the idea of initiating contact or conversation in a manner that can be seen as intrusive or aggressive.

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Further usage examples of accost

1. It is not polite to accost someone aggressively, especially if you do not know them well.
2. While walking through the busy market, salespeople accost you from every direction, trying to catch your attention.
3. The charity workers will accost shoppers at the mall, seeking donations for their cause.
4. He's the kind of person who will accost strangers on the street to talk about his interests.
5. The coach asked his team not to accost the referees with questions during the match.
6. As he walked through the dark alley, two strangers suddenly accost him, demanding his wallet and phone.
7. She felt uncomfortable when the street vendor aggressively accost to sell her something she didn't want.
8. At the conference, the journalist boldly accost the senator to ask an uncomfortable question about ethics.
9. Local residents accost the mayor during a town meeting to voice their concerns about rising crime rates.
10. Even though she was in a hurry, she had to accost the delivery person to sign for a package.
11. Police warn that a group of individuals accost pedestrians and ask for money, sometimes using force.
12. The protester decided to accost the speaker on stage, interrupting the event with shouts and slogans.
13. Unprepared for a debate, he felt intimidated when his classmates accost him with controversial questions.
14. The director accost a few key employees to discuss sensitive issues away from prying eyes.
15. People accost the celebrity for autographs so often that she barely has time to herself.
16. If you accost someone on the street for a survey, always ensure you have the proper permits and identification.
17. Animal activists sometimes accost shoppers outside fur stores to protest the unethical treatment of animals.
18. In the crowded market, you'll find vendors who eagerly accost you with offers of exotic fruits and spices.
19. The lifeguard had no choice but to accost the swimmer who was ignoring safety rules in the pool area.
20. He was shocked when a group of investors accost him after the meeting to vent their frustrations.
21. Fans often accost musicians after a concert, hoping for a picture or a few words with their idols.
22. At family gatherings, she hates when her relatives accost her to ask about her personal life and career.
23. The college student decided to accost the dean about the need for more mental health services on campus.
24. Commuters sometimes accost ticket inspectors to complain about delays and other service issues.
25. It's considered rude to accost people with personal questions when you've just met them for the first time.