Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb scarify

3 senses of scarify

Sense 1
scarify -- (puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals; "The men in some African tribes scarify their faces")
       => puncture -- (pierce with a pointed object; make a hole into; "puncture a tire")

Sense 2
scarify -- (scratch the surface of; "scarify seeds")
       => score, nock, mark -- (make small marks into the surface of; "score the clay before firing it")

Sense 3
scarify -- (break up; "scarify soil")
       => loosen -- (make less dense; "loosen the soil")