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

With Ted, Keeley and Rebecca in her office, Alice learns that Ted has asked to be demoted to assistant manager, handing her the head coach job for the women’s team. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

As for 5-star quarterback Julian Lewis, who was demoted last week, there seems to be more to the situation than Deion is intentionally letting on. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

McLeod got demoted to the fourth line late in the game and played only three shifts in the third period. — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

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