as in reduced
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 demoted
He was demoted as a working royal back in 2022 by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2025
After a 24-21 loss at Air Force, Cowboys coach Jay Sawvel demoted Jay Johnson from offensive coordinator to analyst.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Merrill was then demoted from co-anchor of the Weekday Morning Show to working weekend nights.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Now the show has demoted her to a B- or C-plot sitcom character, lacking in sharpness and a consistent point of view.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
He was demoted to an affiliate deal with the South Bay Lakers, LA's NBAGL squad in El Segundo, at the start of the 2023-24 season.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Of note, the network demoted (and then extended) Doris Burke, while Tim Legler got called up to the finals team with Breen and Richard Jefferson.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Also, two sergeants and a trooper were fired, demoted or resigned.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Lynch was demoted after making just four of his 10 attempts, missing a potential game-winning 33-yard field goal in the Spartans’ 16-14 loss to Central Michigan and two kicks from less than 30 yards in SJSU’s 30-29 loss to Stanford.
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2025
After a 24-21 loss at Air Force, Cowboys coach Jay Sawvel demoted Jay Johnson from offensive coordinator to analyst.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Merrill was then demoted from co-anchor of the Weekday Morning Show to working weekend nights.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Now the show has demoted her to a B- or C-plot sitcom character, lacking in sharpness and a consistent point of view.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
He was demoted to an affiliate deal with the South Bay Lakers, LA's NBAGL squad in El Segundo, at the start of the 2023-24 season.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Of note, the network demoted (and then extended) Doris Burke, while Tim Legler got called up to the finals team with Breen and Richard Jefferson.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Also, two sergeants and a trooper were fired, demoted or resigned.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Lynch was demoted after making just four of his 10 attempts, missing a potential game-winning 33-yard field goal in the Spartans’ 16-14 loss to Central Michigan and two kicks from less than 30 yards in SJSU’s 30-29 loss to Stanford.
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoted
Verb
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To start, there are the fabric covers—the latest issue featuring a series of iconic William Morris prints, full-bleed images and heavyweight paper at a time when most of the industry has been reduced to flimsy stock.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
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Staffing has reportedly been reduced by 50 percent in some areas since the shutdown started.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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India lost its review in desperation to get Wolvaardt dismissed, and then gambled with Verma’s gentle off-breakers.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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The lawsuit was dismissed in March after a judge found the group had no standing to pursue the claims made.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But the Panthers held him out of the end zone and sacked him once.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
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Williams had 136 passing yards and was only sacked once.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoted. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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