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

Andy Green spent all of Thursday night thinking about the time Jared Young was demoted from the Chicago Cubs to Triple-A on the final day of the minor league season. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Another is that, with the United States entangled in Iran and busy managing Venezuela, Cuba has simply been demoted as a priority. — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

Fitting the template Players are traded or demoted when the fit isn’t there, or they are passed by another roster player. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

After starting the season as Miami’s primary catcher, he was demoted to Triple A Jacksonville in early May after struggling to hit and continuing to have woes defensively behind the plate. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 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