Challenged, providing over in action (6)
I believe the answer is:
defied
'challenged' is the definition.
(defying is a kind of challenging)
'providing over in action' is the wordplay.
'providing' becomes 'if' (I've seen this in other clues).
'over' is a reversal indicator.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'action' becomes 'deed' (deed is a kind of action).
'if' backwards is 'fi'.
'fi' inserted within 'deed' is 'DEFIED'.
(Other definitions for defied that I've seen before include "Challenged or braved" , "Stood up to" , "Refused ot obey, confronted" , "Was disobedient to" , "Boldly refused to obey" .)