scarify
1 of 2verb (1)
transitive verb
scarify
2 of 2verb (2)
transitive verb
Did you know?
You get two words for the price of one with scarify. The first scarify appeared in English in the 15th century with the meaning "to make scratches or cuts in" and later developed a figurative application of "cutting" someone emotionally. This word is ultimately derived from a Greek verb meaning "to scratch an outline." The second homograph turned up in the late 18th century and gained currency by the 20th century. This scarify was formed by combining scare with -ify, possibly as a combination of scare and terrify, and it predictably means "to scare or frighten."
Synonyms
Verb (2)
- affright
- alarm
- alarum
- fright
- frighten
- horrify
- panic
- scare
- shock
- spook
- startle
- terrify
- terrorize
Word History
Verb (1)
Middle English scarifien, from Middle French scarefier, from Late Latin scarificare, alteration of Latin scarifare, from Greek skariphasthai to scratch an outline, sketch — more at scribe
Verb (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
1785, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
scarify
transitive verb
scarifying
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- frightening
- scaring
- terrifying
- startling
- horrifying
- shocking
- terrorizing
- shaking
- spooking
- alarming
- panicking
- appalling
- alaruming
- frighting
- affrighting
- amazing
- jolting
- disturbing
- unsettling
- distracting
- astounding
- making one's flesh crawl
- disquieting
- unnerving
- dismaying
- worrying
- making one's flesh creep
- emasculating
- giving one the creeps
- chilling
- distressing
- upsetting
- discomforting
- perturbing
- disconcerting
- unmanning
- daunting
- dispiriting
- demoralizing
- shaking up
- awing
- undoing
- flooring
- unstringing
- bowling over
- discomposing
- psyching (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassuring
- assuring
- comforting
- soothing
- consoling
- cheering
- encouraging
- solacing
- inspiring
- emboldening
- steeling
- heartening