Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word in the following sentence.
The government is proposing to incinerate cattle carcasses at many sites, some of which are in populated areas.

The correct answer is Extinguish.

Let's break down the meanings of the words to understand why "Extinguish" is the correct antonym:
1. Incinerate means to destroy something, especially waste material, by burning it completely.
2. Oxidise refers to a chemical reaction combining a substance with oxygen, which is a process closely related to burning or rusting.
3. Blaze means to burn brightly or fiercely.
4. Combust means to consume or be consumed by fire; to undergo combustion or burn.
5. Extinguish means to cause a fire or light to cease burning; to put out.

Since "incinerate" involves starting or carrying out a burning process to destroy something, its opposite or antonym is "extinguish", which means to put out a fire or stop the burning process.