In the following question, out of the four given alternatives, select the word which is opposite in meaning (antonym) to the given word. Incapacitate.

Introduction / Context:
This is an antonym based vocabulary question. The word given is “incapacitate,” and the learner has to select from the options the word that is opposite in meaning. Antonym questions check not only direct dictionary knowledge but also understanding of shades of meaning between near synonyms and clear opposites.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target word: “Incapacitate”- Option A: “Cripple”- Option B: “Facilitate”- Option C: “Maim”- Option D: “Immobilize”- The task is to pick the exact opposite in meaning.

Concept / Approach:
“Incapacitate” means to deprive someone or something of strength, ability, or power, often by causing an injury, damage, or severe limitation. It may be used physically or metaphorically, for example incapacitating a system or a person. Therefore, words that mean “to harm,” “to disable,” or “to render unable to act” will be similar in meaning. The antonym should convey the sense of making something easier, enabling action, or giving the capacity to act.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First, understand “incapacitate.” If a person is incapacitated, that person cannot function normally, perhaps due to illness or injury. If a machine is incapacitated, it cannot work.Option A, “Cripple,” means to cause serious damage to movement or effectiveness, especially by injury. It is clearly similar in meaning to “incapacitate” because both involve loss of ability.Option C, “Maim,” means to wound or injure someone so that part of the body is permanently damaged. This also aligns with the idea of incapacitating or disabling.Option D, “Immobilize,” means to prevent someone or something from moving or working. This again is similar to “incapacitate.”Option B, “Facilitate,” means to make an action or process easier, to help something happen, or to enable progress. This is the opposite of limiting or disabling. While “incapacitate” removes ability, “facilitate” supports and eases action.Hence, the correct antonym is “Facilitate.”

Verification / Alternative check:
We can test the words in context. “The severe injury incapacitated the worker” suggests that the injury stopped the worker from functioning. The opposite effect in everyday usage might be “The new tools facilitated the worker tasks,” meaning they made the tasks easier. Using “crippled,” “maimed,” or “immobilized” alongside “incapacitated” would create similar negative descriptions rather than opposites. Thus, only “facilitate” genuinely reverses the meaning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Cripple” is wrong because it is essentially a synonym of “incapacitate,” not an antonym.“Maim” is wrong because it also refers to serious injury and long term damage, again similar to “incapacitate.”“Immobilize” is wrong because it means to prevent movement or activity, which is closely related to making something unable to function.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners mistake any strong word that appears negative for the opposite of another negative word. In fact, most of the time strong negatives are synonyms of one another rather than opposites. It is important to clearly recall that “incapacitate” is about removing capacity or ability. Therefore, its opposite should be about providing or easing capacity, which “facilitate” does very well.

Final Answer:
The word opposite in meaning to “incapacitate” is Facilitate.