demote

verb

de·​mote di-ˈmōt How to pronounce demote (audio)
ˌdē-
demoted; demoting
Synonyms of demotenext

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.
The pilot was demoted to street patrol after the dispute. Peter D'abrosca , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026 McCarthy is coming off a down season marred by an early-season slump that caused him to get demoted to Triple-A. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026 Hunter Renfroe was designated for assignment, and MJ Melendez was demoted to the minors. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026 Military patrol stayed on the Olympic roster in 1928 and 1936, but was demoted to a demonstration sport in 1948 and fell off after that. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026 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 15 Feb. 2026.

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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