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

San Francisco called up Carson Whisenhunt from Triple-A Sacramento Thursday morning, demoting beleaguered reliever Ryan Walker in a corresponding roster move. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

The station demoted one anchor and began discouraging its reporters from pursuing political stories that could draw attention to the station in favor of human interest stories, The Associated Press reported at the time. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

There was some intrigue about whom the Yankees might demote with Grisham and McMahon returning. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 4 July 2026

But in the process, the department demoted theology, a field that some had targeted for enjoying professional status when nursing did not. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 2 July 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