as in firings
the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank
anyone who objects will get a demotion
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Recent Examples of demotions
In Newark, 49 sergeants and 23 lieutenants who manage and supervise departments could face demotions if the results of their 2019 civil service exams are thrown out, according to the president of the city's Superior Officers' Association.
—
Christine Sloan, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
An attorney for two other administrators who sued over their demotions said Monday that their lawsuit is still pending.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
Other penalties include fines up to $1000 or demotions.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Some of the agents had been reassigned earlier this year, in what were widely seen as demotions, The Washington Post reported.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
The airline has already announced furloughs and demotions of hundreds of pilots.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
But in late July, the company announced another round of pilot furloughs and demotions — the third since September.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Payne said several other employees were disciplined, including demotions and suspensions, after the May incident.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Aug. 2025
The risk indicators range from declining performance rating to demotions, from threats of violence to suicidal ideation to criminal behavior.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
Christine Sloan, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
An attorney for two other administrators who sued over their demotions said Monday that their lawsuit is still pending.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
Other penalties include fines up to $1000 or demotions.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Some of the agents had been reassigned earlier this year, in what were widely seen as demotions, The Washington Post reported.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
The airline has already announced furloughs and demotions of hundreds of pilots.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
But in late July, the company announced another round of pilot furloughs and demotions — the third since September.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Payne said several other employees were disciplined, including demotions and suspensions, after the May incident.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Aug. 2025
The risk indicators range from declining performance rating to demotions, from threats of violence to suicidal ideation to criminal behavior.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demotions
Noun
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Pentagon officials have not given a reason for the departure, which is the latest of more than a dozen firings of top generals and admirals.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Apr. 2026
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Other Cabinet firings could also be on the horizon.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The funding is ongoing while Colorado challenges the policy in court, but if reductions are made permanent, Mahanan predicts a wave of day care closures, almost overnight.—
Shay Castle,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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Dell said in its 10-K that fiscal 2026 headcount reductions stemmed from employee reorganizations, limits on external hiring, and other cost-alignment measures tied to its business modernization efforts.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Chronic cortisol elevation does change the face over time, and the biology behind the viral term is more real than most dismissals of it suggest.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, China’s appetite for conflict has likely been dampened by struggles to support its slowing domestic economy, as well as a string of dismissals in the top echelons of its own military.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demotions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demotions. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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