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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Example Sentences
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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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Some who follow the Make America Healthy Again movement praised his decision, but former health officials and some medical experts worried the firings would sow distrust in the public health system and in vaccines that have been found to be safe and effective.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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All told, the agency lost more than 17,000 civil servants through firings and resignations in 2025—including many scientific leaders at the FDA, CDC and NIH.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
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While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The result is a drama of surprising universality, in which a well-to-do couple becomes the target of unjust dismissals and persecution for political wrongthink against the Turkish regime.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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The two dismissals this week come as both of those lawsuits had been set to go to trial in the next few weeks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demotions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demotions. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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