demote

verb

de·​mote di-ˈmōt 

ˌdē-

demoted; demoting

transitive verb

1

: to reduce to a lower grade or rank

demote a student

was demoted from major to captain

2

: to relegate to a less important position

a pitcher demoted to the bullpen

demotion

di-ˈmō-shən 

ˌdē-

noun

Synonyms of demote

• reduce
• dismiss

Examples of demote in a Sentence

Teachers can choose to demote a student to a lower grade.

The army major was demoted to captain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gartner predicted in May 2026 that 40% of enterprises would demote autonomous agents by 2027 because governance gaps were discovered after production incidents. — Hope Frank, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Volpe has played second base in 19 of 28 games since getting demoted to Triple A, committing just one error in 78 chances. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The limited series categories will have a diminished role at the main Emmys show after four of them were demoted to the early Emmys weekend. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

In placing the Office of Communications and Strategic Planning department under the chief of staff, the plan would also demote the top officials over those departments down one pay grade. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

de- + -mote (as in promote)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for demote

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote
• greatcoat

Kids Definition

demote

verb

de·​mote di-ˈmōt 

ˈdē-

demoted; demoting

: to reduce to a lower grade or rank

demotion

di-ˈmō-shən 

ˈdē-

noun