scarify

verb

Definition of scarifynext
as in to frighten
to strike with fear that foolish woman would be scarified by a mouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scarify Once the tree is removed from the pot, the root ball is scarified. — Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026 Some will confine their mess to pixels, but surely others will scarify the walls and stain the floors. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Sep. 2021 And some on the platform feel free enough to verbally poke a pop star or scarify Spotify. — Bill Hochberg, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarify
  1. frighten
  2. scare
  3. terrify
  4. startle
Verb
  • Families confronting a devastating diagnosis may already be frightened, grieving and overwhelmed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But Cardinale acknowledged layoffs would be part of the cost-cuts, a prospect that frightened many in Hollywood after endless waves of job cuts at the two companies.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • Kennedy, who was an anti-vaccine activist before entering politics and has sent mixed messages to Americans about getting the measles vaccine, scares her.
    — Ali Swenson, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Labaugh says her husband tried to scare the bear away by pounding on the door connected to the garage from inside the house.
    — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of scare
Verb
  • The one common thread the Dolphins have had as a franchise in the post-Dan Marino era is the fact everyone associated with this organization has been terrified of quarterbacks competing.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The new season has ended up with a plethora of new faces to terrify viewers, including more recent Murphy collaborators like Paul Anthony Kelly and Joey Pollari and complete newcomers like Alex Consani and Madelaine Petsch.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • To build a stealthy ocean-monitoring platform for the Office of Naval Research, Professor Shepherd needed a propulsion system that would not startle marine life.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • As if triggered by this thought, the door buzzed itself open, startling the pigeons from wire to wing, a grand scattering.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Scarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarify. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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