demote

verb

de·​mote di-ˈmōt 

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

di-ˈmō-shən 

ˌdē-

noun

Synonyms of demote

• reduce
• dismiss

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

Six months later, a disillusioned Stapleton resigned, claiming she had been demoted during the most recent restructuring as retaliation for helping to spearhead the walkout. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026

On Sunday, the Phillies cut Shugart from the 40-man roster and demoted him to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, according to the official transaction log. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Matthew Brewer served as the Chicago Housing Authority board’s chair until Johnson sought to demote him amid a power struggle over who would be the next CEO of the nation’s third-largest public housing agency. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Acquiring Vodnik cost Miami Norby (who played in 189 games for the Marlins across three seasons but was demoted to Triple A in June) and May (a pitcher prospect in High A). — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

de- + -mote (as in promote)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for demote

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote
• greatcoat

Kids Definition

demote

verb

de·​mote di-ˈmōt 

ˈdē-

demoted; demoting

: to reduce to a lower grade or rank

demotion

di-ˈmō-shən 

ˈdē-

noun