Concept:Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. "Authorize" means to give official permission.Explanation:The word "authorize" means to grant official approval or power to do something. Its opposite is "forbid", which means to refuse permission or prohibit an action. For example, a manager authorizes a purchase, whereas a school forbids phone use. The other options are synonyms: "allow", "empower", and "permit" all mean giving permission or authority, similar to "authorize". Therefore, the correct antonym is "forbid".Answer:Option A (Forbid)