as in firings
the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank
anyone who objects will get a demotion
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Recent Examples of demotions
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
Other penalties include fines up to $1000 or demotions.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Some of the agents had been reassigned earlier this year, in what were widely seen as demotions, The Washington Post reported.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
The airline has already announced furloughs and demotions of hundreds of pilots.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
But in late July, the company announced another round of pilot furloughs and demotions — the third since September.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Payne said several other employees were disciplined, including demotions and suspensions, after the May incident.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Aug. 2025
The risk indicators range from declining performance rating to demotions, from threats of violence to suicidal ideation to criminal behavior.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
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
Other penalties include fines up to $1000 or demotions.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Some of the agents had been reassigned earlier this year, in what were widely seen as demotions, The Washington Post reported.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
The airline has already announced furloughs and demotions of hundreds of pilots.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
But in late July, the company announced another round of pilot furloughs and demotions — the third since September.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Payne said several other employees were disciplined, including demotions and suspensions, after the May incident.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Aug. 2025
The risk indicators range from declining performance rating to demotions, from threats of violence to suicidal ideation to criminal behavior.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demotions
Noun
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Maybe what the firings say about the league is the superficial matters.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Abrams had been a constant at the top of the organization throughout its bevy of general manager and coach firings over the last decade.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That marks a break from longstanding practice, as regulators have long relied on the VSL to value mortality reductions in regulatory cost-benefit analysis.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The disaster shook public confidence, led to speed reductions and temporarily paused construction on new lines, but no major incidents have been reported in the 15 years since, even as the network has continued to expand.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Further dismissals will include 12 members of custodial staff, 16 lunch aides, a warehouseman, a safety and security monitor, a director of communications and a discipline secretary.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2026
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Incidentally, both dismissals came in the same match — the 2-1 home defeat against Liverpool on December 20.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demotions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demotions. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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