Definitions

scarify

[skar-uh-fahy] / ˈskær əˌfaɪ /

VERB

criticize severely

Synonyms

STRONGEST

slap down

STRONG

attack blister castigate damn excoriate flay lambaste lash pan scorch scourge slash vilify

WEAK

burn someone's ears crawl all over lash into pin someone's ears back put someone on the griddle put someone on the hot seat rake over the coals read the riot act to rip into scathe shoot down

Antonyms

STRONG

compliment laud mend praise protect

VERB

frighten

Synonyms

STRONG

affright agitate alarm astound awe browbeat bulldoze chill cow daunt demoralize deter disconcert discourage dishearten dismay disquiet faze horrify intimidate panic perturb petrify repel scare spook startle terrify terrorize unhinge unnerve

WEAK

chill to the bone curdle the blood disburb discomfort make blood run cold make one's blood run cold make one's hair stand on end make teeth chatter scare away scare off scare the daylights out of scare to death silly stiff strike terror into

Antonyms

STRONG

calm comfort embolden encourage hearten inspirit reassure soothe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The seed packets instruct you to scarify the seeds and presoak them before planting.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 23, 2023

A memory tip: If you scarify something, you leave scars.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Even on a good day, Pugs- ley is a restive child. scarify.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Ricky promised that his Rollerblades wouldn’t scarify the floor. unique.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Primarily, to scarify is to cut or scratch marks into the surface of something.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner