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

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

Another is that, with the United States entangled in Iran and busy managing Venezuela, Cuba has simply been demoted as a priority. — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

After starting the season as Miami’s primary catcher, he was demoted to Triple A Jacksonville in early May after struggling to hit and continuing to have woes defensively behind the plate. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2026