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.
While Jenny West finished in first place, Michele Fitzgerald finished in second, and Rachel Robinson finished in third, the Karma vote bumped Rachel up to tie with Jenny for first place, and Michele was demoted to third place. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025 Pluto isn’t a planet Pluto was famously demoted from a full planet to a dwarf planet in 2006. Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 He was also demoted that same year from a top WWE wrestler to being part of a comedic group known as 3MB. Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025 Mark Helfrich responded by demoting defensive coordinator Don Pellum to linebackers coach. Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near demote

Cite this Entry

“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demote. Accessed 15 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!