provoke

(verb) call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses). Synonyms: arouse, elicit, enkindle, kindle, evoke, fire, raise. Examples: "Arouse pity." "Raise a smile." "Evoke sympathy."

(verb) evoke or provoke to appear or occur. Synonyms: evoke, call forth, kick up. Example: "Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple."

(verb) provide the needed stimulus for. Synonyms: stimulate.

(verb) annoy continually or chronically. Synonyms: harass, hassle, harry, chivy, chivvy, chevy, chevvy, beset, plague, molest. Examples: "He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked." "This man harasses his female co-workers."