demote

verb

de·​mote di-ˈmōt How to pronounce demote (audio)
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 noun

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
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.
It’s been a disastrous first month for Williams in the Bronx, from getting demoted from the closer role to being constantly booed. Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 May 2025 Like virtually all global soccer leagues, the leagues encompassing England and Wales are fluid, with the top teams from lower leagues being promoted upward at the end of the season, and the bottom teams demoted down a level. Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 5 May 2025 Waltz was demoted in a new nomination to be the next United Nations ambassador. Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025 He was then demoted, before being dismissed after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asked President Donald Trump to remove him from that position. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for demote

Word History

Etymology

de- + -mote (as in promote)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demote was in 1872

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demote. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

demote

verb
de·​mote di-ˈmōt How to pronounce demote (audio)
ˈdē-
demoted; demoting
: to reduce to a lower grade or rank
demotion noun

More from Merriam-Webster on demote

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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