cross-questioning
Intense verbal examination
Cross-questioning is intensive or persistent questioning, especially the kind designed to test the truth of previous answers or uncover inconsistencies.
The term suggests the examiner is coming at the subject from multiple angles: The detective's cross-questioning revealed gaps in the alibi.
It overlaps with cross-examination but applies beyond legal contexts to any rigorous interrogation.
Make something understandable
- verifyConfirm accuracy or truth
- confirmValidate as true
- challengeTest of ability
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
probe · fact-check · corroborate · contradict · inconsistency · accuracy · validity · expose
Cooking on metal grates
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- challengingHard to accomplish
- confrontingAddressing directly
drilling · examining · intense · relentless · persistent · accusatory · suspect · interview
One who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- barristerUK courtroom advocate
- defenseProtection against harm
objection · sworn · evidence · trial · deposition · courtroom · adversarial · redirect
Formal response disputing claims
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
- challengeTest of ability
- counterFlat service surface
- refutationDisproving a statement
dialectic · Socratic · disputation · contention · rhetoric · adversarial · proposition · negation
clarify
Make something understandable
scrutinize · probe · fact-check · corroborate · contradict · inconsistency · accuracy · validity · expose · uncover
grilling
Cooking on metal grates
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- challengingHard to accomplish
confronting · drilling · examining · intense · relentless · persistent · accusatory · suspect · interview · inquiry
witness
One who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- barristerUK courtroom advocate
defense · objection · sworn · evidence · trial · deposition · courtroom · adversarial · redirect · impeachment
rebuttal
Formal response disputing claims
refutation · dialectic · Socratic · disputation · contention · rhetoric · adversarial · proposition · negation · contradiction
cross-questioningcasual conversation
Informal spoken exchange
small talk · chitchat · friendly chat · idle chatter · shooting the breeze
cross-questioningcasual conversation
Informal spoken exchange
small talk · shooting the breeze · chewing the fat · gabbing · schmoozing
cross-questioningtestimony
Sworn statement as evidence
declaration · statement · confession · monologue · deposition
cross, crossing, crossed, crosses, crosser, crossly, crisscross, crosswise, crossroad