provoke

Verb

• annoy continually or chronically
  • He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked
    
  • This man harasses his female co-workers
    

• provide the needed stimulus for

• evoke or provoke to appear or occur
  • Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple
    

• call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
  • arouse pity
    
  • raise a smile
    
  • evoke sympathy
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  stimulate , evoke , call forth , kick up , arouse , elicit , enkindle , kindle , fire , raise