1. makes shallow cuts or scratches on the surface of something, especially skin or soil
Usage: medical; agricultural
2. breaks up or loosens the surface of soil
Usage: gardening; agriculture
3. criticizes or attacks harshly
Usage: formal

Examples

• The doctor scarifies the skin before applying the vaccine.
• The gardener scarifies the lawn to improve grass growth.
• Heavy machinery scarifies the compacted soil in the field.
• Seeds germinate better after the gardener scarifies their hard coating.
• The critic scarifies the author’s latest novel in his review.
• The rake scarifies the surface of the garden bed.
• She scarifies the seed pods to help them sprout faster.