play devil's advocate
Oppose for debate
To play devil's advocate is to argue a position you don't necessarily hold, usually to test an idea or provoke deeper thinking: Let me play devil's advocate here—what if the project fails?
The phrase comes from a Catholic Church role where someone argued against a candidate for sainthood.
It's now a common rhetorical device in debates and discussions, often announced before presenting a contrarian view.
Point challenging another's position
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- refutationDisproving a statement
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
critique · opposition · disputation · cross-examination · debate · dialectic · antithesis · contention
Seeking answers through inquiry
- doubtLack of firm belief
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- skepticOne who doubts claims
- challengeTest of ability
incredulity · misgivings · reservation · distrust · suspicion · reassess · reexamine · rethink
Test of ability
- confrontFace squarely, address directly
- testEvaluative examination
- probeThorough examination or tool
- unsettleCause unease or anxiety
disrupt · needle · goad · stir · agitate · ruffle feathers · rock the boat · upset the apple cart
Habitual dissenter
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- gadflyIrritating, persistent critic
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- iconoclastAttacker of cherished beliefs
maverick · heretic · antagonist · critic · objector · questioner · doubter · rebel
Practice combat training
- disputationFormal argumentative exchange
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
- adversarialCharacterized by conflict
contentious · polemic · rhetorical · hypothetical · thought experiment · what if · other side
Methodical study of parts
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- testingExamining to evaluate
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
assessment · perspective · assumption · alternative · viewpoint · consideration · exploration · inquiry
counterargument
Point challenging another's position
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- refutationDisproving a statement
counterpoint · critique · opposition · disputation · cross-examination · debate · dialectic · antithesis · contention · polemic
questioning
Seeking answers through inquiry
challenge · incredulity · misgivings · reservation · distrust · suspicion · reassess · reexamine · rethink · probe
challenge
Test of ability
unsettle · disrupt · needle · goad · stir · agitate · ruffle feathers · rock the boat · upset the apple cart · throw a wrench
naysayer
Habitual dissenter
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- gadflyIrritating, persistent critic
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
iconoclast · maverick · heretic · antagonist · critic · objector · questioner · doubter · rebel · troublemaker
sparring
Practice combat training
- disputationFormal argumentative exchange
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
adversarial · contentious · polemic · rhetorical · hypothetical · thought experiment · what if · other side
analysis
Methodical study of parts
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- testingExamining to evaluate
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
evaluation · assessment · perspective · assumption · alternative · viewpoint · consideration · exploration · inquiry · investigation
play devil's advocateendorse
Give official approval
affirm · champion · back up · corroborate · validate
play devil's advocateconform
Behave as expected
toe the line · fall in line · rubber-stamp · go with the flow · jump on the bandwagon
plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfully, playfulness, devil