Demote

/dɪˈmoʊt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to reduce in rank, status, or grade.

After the budget cuts, the company decided to demote several managers to save costs.

to assign to a lower position or grade.

The teacher had no choice but to demote the student for repeated misconduct.

to move a player to a lower division or league.

The team was forced to demote their star player to the minor league after a series of poor performances.

to lower the importance or priority of something.

The new policies will likely demote the significance of environmental issues in company decisions.

From de- + mote (from Latin 'movere', meaning 'to move').

demote to

to assign someone to a lower position

demote someone

to reduce someone’s rank or status

demotion process

the procedure involved in lowering someone's position

promotion

The act of raising someone to a higher rank or position.

relegate

To assign to a lower position or status.

position

The specific place or rank someone holds.

To drop someone from a position of power.

He was totally demoted after that mistake at work.

To be kicked down the ladder.

After his slip-up, he felt like he was really demoted at the office.