Which term is the correct alternative to "engrave"?

The term "inscribe" is appropriately chosen as the correct alternative to "engrave" because both words refer to the act of cutting or etching characters or designs into a surface, typically for the purpose of permanent identification or decoration. Inscribing often involves writing or engraving words into materials such as metal, stone, or wood, similar to the practice of engraving. This makes it fitting in contexts where a lasting impression is desired.

The other terms, while related to marking or altering surfaces, lack the specific connotation that "inscribe" and "engrave" share. "Carve" suggests a more three-dimensional aspect of cutting away material to create a form, "mark" is broader and can refer to any form of identification or symbolism without the permanence implied by engraving, and "imprint" often refers to pressing a design into a surface rather than deeply cutting it into the material.