arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir

fan, ignite, inflame(also enflame), kindle, triggeractivate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalizeabet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up)anger, enrage, madden, upsetjeer, taunt, teaseaggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex

build a fire under

calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize(also tranquillize)appease, mollify, pacify, placate