1. to make shallow cuts or scratches on the surface of something
Usage: medical; agricultural
2. to break up and loosen the surface of soil
Usage: gardening; agriculture
3. to criticize harshly or severely
Usage: informal

Examples

• The doctor will scarify the skin before applying the vaccine.
• Gardeners scarify their lawns in spring to remove dead grass.
• The seeds need to be scarified before planting to improve germination.
• She used a rake to scarify the compacted soil.
• The critic scarified the author’s latest novel in his review.
• The surface was scarified to help the new coating adhere better.