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

Gingles had been nearly demoted at his job, the co-worker said, due to taking too much time off because of his pending divorce. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026

Bovino was demoted last month, two days after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Jan 24. —Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has censured Kelly for participating in the video and is trying to retroactively demote Kelly from his retired rank of captain. —Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Advertisement Last month, Arizona’s Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense for taking administrative actions to demote and censure him over the video. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 11 Feb. 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