Entry Word: demote

Function: verb

Meaning: to bring to a lower grade or rank <the court-martial's decision was to demote the officer responsible for the failed mission>

Synonyms break, bust, degrade, downgrade, reduce

Related Words can, dismiss, fire, lay off, sack; abase, debase, demean, humble, humiliate, lower

Near Antonyms hire

Antonyms advance, elevate, promote, raise