He tried to denigrate his opponent during the debate to gain more support.
What does the word "denigrate" most likely mean in this sentence?

• The required answer is - Criticize or attack the reputation of his rival.

• Denigrate (Verb)
- English Meaning: Denigrate somebody/ something to criticize somebody/ something unfairly; to say somebody/ something does not have any value or is not important.
- Bangla Meaning: মানহানি/ কালিমালেপন করা।

• Synonyms:
- Diminish (হ্রাস করা),
- Revile (শাপ দেওয়া; গালাগাল করা),
- Bad mouth (কলঙ্ক রটানো),
- Belittle (তুচ্ছ করা)।

• Antonyms:
- Extol (উচ্চপ্রশংসা করা),
- Acclaim (প্রশংসা করা),
- Applaude (করতালি দেয়া),
- Exalt (উচ্চকিত ভাবে প্রশংসা করা)।

• Other Forms:
- Denigration (noun) - মানহানি; কালিমালেপন।

• Example Sentence:
1. Rational people judge the message without denigrating the messenger.
2. Her story denigrates him as a person and as a teacher.

Source: Merriam & Webster Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary, Accessible Dictionary.