cross examining

Questioning opposing witness

Cross examining is questioning someone formally, especially a witness in court who has already been questioned by the opposing side.

The goal is to challenge testimony, expose inconsistencies, or undermine credibility.

The term extends to any pointed interrogation: My mother cross examined me about where I'd been all night.

Related

grilling · witness · star witness · lawyer · hearsay · scrutiny · courtroom · judge · perjury · contradiction · hostile witness · under oath · query · impeachment · Perry Mason · legal drama · prosecutor · admissibility

Opposites
examination type

cross examiningre-examination

Renewed scrutiny of something

interrogative stance

cross examiningaccepting at face value

Believing without verification

taking on faith · passive listening · corroborating · trusting · affirming

directness of questioning

cross examiningleading the witness

coaching · prompting

Family

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