as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the court-martial's decision was to demote the officer responsible for the failed mission
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of demote
The division also found that the Diamond Cabaret retaliated against at least three workers by demoting and firing them, as well as codifying new rules against taking photos and videos.
—
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
In the early 2010’s, three of the department’s top brass got demoted over a cheating scandal when the Transit Services Bureau team swapped out one team member for a ringer.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
She had recently been demoted from a permanent classroom into a floating position as part of the company-wide scheduling rearrangement that was to take effect April 28.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for demote
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
In the early 2010’s, three of the department’s top brass got demoted over a cheating scandal when the Transit Services Bureau team swapped out one team member for a ringer.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
She had recently been demoted from a permanent classroom into a floating position as part of the company-wide scheduling rearrangement that was to take effect April 28.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for demote
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demote
Verb
-
Their original sentences, which were 12 years and seven years, respectively, were reduced in September 2023.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
28 May 2025
-
With Bayern aiming to reduce their wage bill, the Wirtz signing would have come at the cost of at least an extra €20million (£16.8m, $22.7m) per year, on top of a transfer fee somewhere between €100m and €150m.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The charges were dismissed because West’s cause of death was not determined, and some evidence had been illegally obtained. (Netflix) Lewis was convicted of six counts of mail fraud in a 1981 credit card scheme in Kansas City.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
-
Baldwin — who denied pulling the trigger — was also put on trial for involuntary manslaughter last July, but the case was dismissed after the judge learned that prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defense.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demote. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share