Definition

Noun A challenge to defend what someone has said; the act of demanding justification, evidence, or proof for a statement, thereby casting doubt on its truth or validity.

Usage

This noun phrase describes the action of formally or informally questioning the accuracy, truthfulness, or basis of a claim, assertion, or argument. It implies a direct challenge that requires the original speaker to provide support for their position.

Examples

• The journalist's persistent calling into question of the official figures forced the ministry to release a more detailed report.
• His research paper is a direct calling into question of the established theory in the field.
• The lawyer's calling into question of the witness's memory was a key moment in the trial.

Advanced Usage

• "To invite calling into question": To say or do something that is likely to be challenged or doubted.
  • Making such a bold claim without evidence invites calling into question from your peers.
• Often used in formal, academic, legal, or journalistic contexts where rigorous scrutiny of statements is standard practice.

Variants and Related Words

• Call something into question (verb phrase): The action from which the noun is derived.
  • New evidence has called the original verdict into question.
• Questioning (n): The general act of asking questions.
• Challenge (n): A call to prove or justify something.

Synonyms

• Challenge
• Disputation
• Doubting
• Interrogation (in a formal sense of challenging a statement's validity)

Related Phrases

• To cast doubt on: To cause something to be viewed with suspicion.
  • The audit cast doubt on the company's financial health. (This is a similar action but not an exact synonym for the noun phrase "calling into question".)

Noun

1. a challenge to defend what someone has said