1. woo To accost is to speak first, to friend or stranger, generally with a view to opening conversation; greet is not so distinctly limited, since one may return another's greeting; greet and hail Synonyms: address, cost, approach, hail, speak to, apostrophize, court, salute, woo, appeal, greet Antonyms: avoid, elude, overlook, pass by, cut, ignore, pass, shun