to challenge, to question, to contest, to dispute, to protest {ww.}
I don't mean to challenge your theory.
Je ne veux pas disputer ta théorie.
to defy, to incite, to provoke, to challenge, to exasperate {ww.}
A facet of genius is the ability to provoke scandals.
Un aspect du génie est la capacité à provoquer des scandales.