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 The team is hoping to get them back this season (as well as Bobby Miller, who was demoted to the minor leagues after struggling in his return from a shoulder injury). Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2024 Americans also got a feel-good look at English soccer via Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso, which follows AFC Richmond, a fictional team inspired by Premier League soccer teams that at the end of the first season got demoted to the Championship league, the second highest in Britain’s soccer pyramid. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2024 Among the plaintiffs were Chiefs Gala and Jardin, who the fire commissioner demoted early in her tenure. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024 To call up Mayo, the Orioles would have to either designate Mateo or Urías for assignment or carry one fewer outfielder by demoting one of Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins or Heston Kjerstad. Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for demote 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'demote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

de- + -mote (as in promote)

First Known Use

circa 1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demote was circa 1891

Dictionary Entries Near demote

Cite this Entry

“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demote. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!