I repeated my question in a more challenging tone.

The challenging tone made the guard look more closely.

"That didn't sound much like an apology," Scott said with a challenging tone of belligerence.

In challenging tones he delivered an ultimatum to the shaggy-headed man who stood beyond.

Her challenging tone made him bristle, instinctive alpha behavior, but he didn't let it show.

He began to talk in a harsh, challenging tone.

Then, with a sour expression, Eagle spoke in a less challenging tone.

She met his challenging tone with one of genuine sympathy, instead.

Toivo noticed it and said in a challenging tone: "Yes!

"I think I like you, too," she added in a much less challenging tone.