verb

Evoke or awaken (a feeling, emotion, or response)

something about the man aroused the guard’s suspicions

cause,induce,prompt,set off,trigger,stir up,inspire,call forth,bring into being,call into being,draw forth,bring out,excite,evoke,pique,whet,stir,engender,generate,kindle,fire,touch off,spark off,provoke,foster,whip up,sow the seeds of