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.
An additional 32 employees have been demoted and given pay cuts. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025 Martin has since sidelined prosecutors that worked on Jan. 6 cases, demoting several to entry-level positions. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025 Since his inauguration, Trump has sought to reform the department, demoting attorneys, for instance, who prosecuted him and assisting people charged with Jan. 6 related offenses. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025 But by 2019, she would be demoted and later resigned after accusing Trudeau’s staff of pressuring her to cut a sweetheart legal deal for one of Canada’s largest companies amid a bribery scandal. Paula Newton, CNN, 14 Mar. 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 6 Apr. 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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