Synonyms of demote

demote

verb

di-ˈmōt 

as in to reduce

to bring to a lower grade or rank

the court-martial's decision was to demote the officer responsible for the failed mission

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reduce
• dismiss
• degrade
• sack
• downgrade
• fire
• can
• bust
• humiliate
• demean
• downsize
• break
• disrate
• debase
• lay off
• abase
• lower
• humble
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• promote
• raise
• advance
• elevate
• hire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of demote

Gartner predicted in May 2026 that 40% of enterprises would demote autonomous agents by 2027 because governance gaps were discovered after production incidents. — Hope Frank, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The limited series categories will have a diminished role at the main Emmys show after four of them were demoted to the early Emmys weekend. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Lucas Erceg was demoted to the minors while Matt Strahm and John Schreiber were offloaded in recent weeks. — Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

An officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department who misused the county’s license plate reader system has been demoted, suspended without pay and faced other disciplinary measures, according to a release from Sheriff Jeffery Balon. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026