demote

verb

de·​mote di-ˈmōt How to pronounce demote (audio)
ˌdē-
demoted; demoting

transitive verb

1
: to reduce to a lower grade or rank
demote a student
was demoted from major to captain
2
: to relegate to a less important position
a pitcher demoted to the bullpen
demotion noun

Examples of demote in a Sentence

Teachers can choose to demote a student to a lower grade. The army major was demoted to captain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Loading your audio article OAKLAND — Oakland leaders say about 100 city workers will be laid off or demoted this week and next as the full consequences of the city’s devastating financial crisis take shape. Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025 The Toronto Blue Jays and an unidentified West Coast team are among the clubs that have expressed interest in Pressly, who was demoted last season after Houston signed All-Star closer Josh Hader. Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 He had been promoted to sergeant months before the incident and, after it, was demoted to officer. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025 The club has found surprising success by inserting veteran former MVP point guard Russell Westbrook into its rotation, moving Jamal Murray up to shooting guard, and demoting Christian Braun to the bench. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for demote 

Word History

Etymology

de- + -mote (as in promote)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demote was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near demote

Cite this Entry

“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demote. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

demote

verb
de·​mote di-ˈmōt How to pronounce demote (audio)
ˈdē-
demoted; demoting
: to reduce to a lower grade or rank
demotion noun

More from Merriam-Webster on demote

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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