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.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was also demoted, and Joe Douglas was fired as the general manager. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025 Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was also demoted, and Joe Douglas was fired as the general manager during the Jets’ struggles. Antwan Staley, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025 The Crimson Tide beat Georgia in overtime courtesy of Tagovailoa’s heroics, but Hurts was demoted to a backup the next season. Ben Church, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025 Since then, Gray was demoted, Hopson resigned, and Musk, after aides from DOGE accessed classified USAID information without security clearances, has declared his desire to shutter the agency. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 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

Dictionary Entries Near demote

Cite this Entry

“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demote. Accessed 21 Feb. 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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