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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demotion There were concerns about the ripple effects of another demotion. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Smith’s first stint in New York marked a turbulent time, which included a demotion after starting his first two seasons and getting punched in the face by his Jets teammate, IK Enemkpali, during an altercation in the locker room in 2015. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 For his efforts, he was rewarded with a demotion back to Triple-A. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026 Bello’s last game for the Red Sox was the June 4 debacle that earned him a demotion to Triple-A Worcester. — Gabrielle Starr, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2026 Muraki, through a settlement, agreed to a demotion in rank to firefighter and 120-hour suspension. — Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026 The Marlins ultimately decided to move on following a demotion to Triple-A and continued offensive regression that never stabilized. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 He was originally reassigned from the Sterling Correctional Facility to work in Denver, but successfully challenged that reassignment through the State Personnel Board, which affirmed his demotion but reversed the reassignment. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 29 June 2026 The new competitive model emphasizes promotions and demotions, with a goal of winning over more fans. — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demotion
  1. firing
  2. dismissal
  3. reduction
  4. humiliation
  5. sacking
Noun
  • Nieporte filed a federal lawsuit in May against human resources company ADP Totalsource for its role in his firing, seeking at least $30 million.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • Such blindsiding firings aren't limited to struggling employees; experienced professionals and executives are also abruptly dismissed due to shifting business priorities, restructuring, or leadership changes.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of firing
Noun
  • In its filing seeking dismissal of the case, Paramount’s legal team argued that the plaintiffs — Pamela Faust, Len Marazzo, Lisa McCarthy, Deborah Rubinsohn and Gary Talewsky — do not have standing.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • The pitching staff has struggled throughout the year, particularly at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, leading to the dismissal of longtime pitching coach Scott Emerson on Monday.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of dismissal
Noun
  • Preliminary findings indicated a measurable reduction in particulate emissions associated with contrail formation when the G800 operated on the fuel.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
  • More than 800 members of United Steelworkers Local 7-1 are embroiled in a contract fight with BP over pay and job reductions.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of reduction
Noun
  • Ultimately, Iran freed the hostages on January 20, 1981, just minutes after Reagan had taken the oath of office, in what is widely seen as a final humiliation of Carter by the Iranians.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
  • Despite the humiliation of Platner’s collapse, which came with plenty of warning signs that his backers looked beyond, that remains the case.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of humiliation
Noun
  • Mbappe almost became the poster boy for general discontentment as Madrid’s season slipped away following the sacking of Xabi Alonso in January.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • In a dramatic late-night sacking of a network news icon, CBS News has fired veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Definition of sacking

Browse Nearby Words

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demotion
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Cite this Entry

“Demotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demotion. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of demotion for Spanish Speakers

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