Synonyms of demotion

demotion

noun

as in firing

the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank

anyone who objects will get a demotion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• firing
• dismissal
• reduction
• humiliation
• sacking
• bump
• layoff
• downgrade
• debasement
• abasement
• disrating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of demotion

McCoy’s lawsuit alleges that her demotion was in violation of Missouri’s whistleblower statute, which allows public employees to sue for unlawful retaliation after reporting violations of law. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

The outcome of the investigation, Balon said, resulted in the officer receiving a demotion in rank, an unpaid suspension, an indefinite suspension from the use of Flock and remedial ethics training. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Now, in 2026, some still can't get over Pluto's demotion to a dwarf planet. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

But after two decades in the rearview, Pluto’s demotion still stirs anger and controversy, and many people regard its change in status as a very bad thing. — Mike Brown, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026

Astronomers in favor of Pluto's demotion argued that a planet by definition should have cleared its orbit around the sun. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026

In fact, the demotion of the human agent in policing is often by design. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Despite Pluto’s demotion to a dwarf planet, PEOPLE’s astrology writer Valerie Mesa notes that the planet is still part of your astrological chart. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026

For some, the sting of that cosmic demotion has never gone away. — Denise Chow, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026