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Accosted: meaning, definitions and examples

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accosted

 

[ əˈkɔstəd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

confronting someone

To accost someone means to approach them boldly or aggressively, often for the purpose of engaging them in conversation or demanding something. This term can carry a negative connotation, suggesting that the person is being approached in an unwelcome or intrusive manner. It is frequently used in contexts involving confrontation, such as when a person is challenged or questioned unexpectedly. The term can evoke feelings of discomfort or tension, especially if the encounter is perceived as threatening.

Synonyms

address, approach, confront, hail

Examples of usage

  • The journalist accosted the celebrity for an interview.
  • As I walked down the street, a stranger accosted me with a question.
  • He was accosted by protesters demanding answers.
  • The salespeople accosted shoppers as soon as they entered the store.

Translations

Translations of the word "accosted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abordado

🇮🇳 घेर लिया

🇩🇪 angreifend angesprochen

🇮🇩 didekati

🇺🇦 підходив

🇵🇱 zaatakowany

🇯🇵 近づかれた

🇫🇷 accosté

🇪🇸 acosado

🇹🇷 saldırıya uğramış

🇰🇷 접근당한

🇸🇦 تم الاقتراب منه

🇨🇿 oslovován

🇸🇰 oslovovaný

🇨🇳 被接近

🇸🇮 pristopil

🇮🇸 að nálgast

🇰🇿 жақындаған

🇬🇪 მოახლოვდნენ

🇦🇿 yanaşdı

🇲🇽 acosado

Word origin

The word 'accost' originates from the Middle French word 'acoster,' which meant 'to come alongside' or 'to approach.' This term was derived from the Old French 'acoster,' which could be traced back to the Latin 'custodia,' meaning 'to guard' or 'to watch over.' The transition from the original meaning to its current usage likely involved contexts where one would come alongside another person for the purpose of engaging them, whether positively or negatively. It began to take on a more aggressive connotation in the English language by the late 16th century. The word has often appeared in legal contexts, emphasizing interactions that may involve confrontation, which have historical significance in law enforcement and personal encounters. 'Accosted' as the past participle form has become particularly common in descriptions of possible criminal activity or threatening interactions in modern usage.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,495, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.