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demotions

noun

plural of demotion
as in firings
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 demotions Rehabilitation assignments, promotions and demotions often become part of the development process, particularly for pitchers returning from major surgeries. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 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 City employees allegedly took demotions or resigned to avoid a toxic work environment. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026 The cautionary tales are bottomless, from Reading and Blackburn Rovers’ respective demotions in England two seasons ago to FC Girondins de Bordeaux and ASJ Soyaux in France, who this year were forced to collapse due to structural vulnerabilities. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Word of the demotions came early in the spring semester, but the cuts take effect on July 1. — Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026 But the plaintiffs’ concerns were ignored and, in 2019, the department retaliated by starting Internal Affairs investigations and imposing a series of negative work actions against the officers, including demotions, removals from specialized assignments and involuntary transfers, suit stated. — City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026 In Newark, 49 sergeants and 23 lieutenants who manage and supervise departments could face demotions if the results of their 2019 civil service exams are thrown out, according to the president of the city's Superior Officers' Association. — Christine Sloan, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025 An attorney for two other administrators who sued over their demotions said Monday that their lawsuit is still pending. — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demotions
  1. firings
  2. reductions
  3. dismissals
Noun
  • Patel later suggested that the scope of firings had been overblown, saying many agents had retired on their own.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the lawmakers, three former Education secretaries and the largest federal employee union are calling for an inspector general investigation into the mass firings made at the department last year.
    — Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of firings
Noun
  • However, the announcement does not provide quantified figures for cost savings, production-time reductions or improvements in battery performance.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • While Levine Cava’s reductions on late-night routes survived intact in the budget, commissioners agreed to take up the issue again this fall before the cuts took effect this spring.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of reductions
Noun
  • Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte at Stars and Stripes – a military news outlet that is partially funded by the Pentagon – claimed their dismissals were retaliatory and violated the First Amendment.
    — Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Jeremiah Johnson, vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, said asylum rates appear to be one factor, but the dismissals cannot be attributed to a single reason.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismissals

Browse Nearby Words

demotion
demotions
demount
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Cite this Entry

“Demotions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demotions. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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