provoke

v 1: call forth; of emotions, feelings, and responses; "arouse

pity"; "raise a smile"; "evoke sympathy" [syn: {arouse},

{elicit}, {enkindle}, {kindle}, {evoke}, {fire}, {raise}]

2: call forth; "Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the

couple" [syn: {evoke}, {call forth}, {kick up}]

3: provide the needed stimulus for [syn: {stimulate}]

4: annoy continually or chronically; "He is known to harry his

staff when he is overworked" [syn: {harass}, {hassle}, {harry},

{chivy}, {chivvy}, {chevy}, {chevvy}, {beset}, {plague},

{molest}]