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
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Recent Examples of demote
Shortly after the 2024 layoffs, UT made major changes to its marketing and communications department, laying off 20 staff members and demoting its leader.
—
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The club is also high on Bird, who made a poor first impression and was demoted to Triple-A after being acquired from and overworked by the Rockies last summer.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
The pilot was demoted to street patrol after the dispute.
—Peter D'abrosca , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Hunter Renfroe was designated for assignment, and MJ Melendez was demoted to the minors.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demote
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The club is also high on Bird, who made a poor first impression and was demoted to Triple-A after being acquired from and overworked by the Rockies last summer.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
The pilot was demoted to street patrol after the dispute.
—Peter D'abrosca , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Hunter Renfroe was designated for assignment, and MJ Melendez was demoted to the minors.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demote
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demote
Verb
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Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Snowmaking specialist TechnoAlpin, which is supplying this year’s Winter Olympics, said technology has advanced significantly over recent decades, reducing energy demand and water consumption.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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Saab denied the allegations and appealed to have the charges dismissed on grounds of diplomatic immunity.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demote. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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