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
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Recent Examples of demote
Yet just 2½ years later, Pulford was back in both the GM and head coaching positions after Murray was fired and Molleken demoted to associate coach — though Molleken continued to handle daily operations of the team.
—
Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
But Callum Wilson, the joint top scorer (4) with club captain Jarrod Bowen, is in talks to end his five-month spell now he has been demoted to third-choice.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Bass later demoted Crowley and named interim and permanent fire chiefs.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump has since those initial January dismissals fired or demoted multiple other inspectors general.
—Connor Greene, Time, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demote
Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
But Callum Wilson, the joint top scorer (4) with club captain Jarrod Bowen, is in talks to end his five-month spell now he has been demoted to third-choice.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Bass later demoted Crowley and named interim and permanent fire chiefs.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump has since those initial January dismissals fired or demoted multiple other inspectors general.
—Connor Greene, Time, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demote
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demote
Verb
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During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In September, Hecox filed a notice to dismiss the lawsuit.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
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Why was Alabama’s 31-17 loss to a 4-8 FSU team so easily dismissed by the committee?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demote. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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