demote

[ dih-moht ]

verb (used with object)

, de·mot·ed, de·mot·ing.

1. to reduce to a lower grade, rank, class, or position ( promote ):

   They demoted the careless waiter to busboy.

demote

/ dɪˈməʊt /

verb

1. tr to lower in rank or position; relegate

Derived Forms

• deˈmotion, noun

Other Words From

• de·mo·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of demote¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; de- + (pro)mote

Word History and Origins

Origin of demote¹

C19: from de- + ( pro ) mote

Example Sentences

Nearly a month after a tense hour-long hearing at the Hall of Justice to decide the fate of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department sergeant accused of spreading “rumors and/or gossip,” the agency decided this week to demote the woman despite her claims she was attempting to call out misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this year, the department sent Gonzalez a letter announcing its intent to demote her because she’d “spread rumors and/or gossip” when she shared her grievance containing “personal information” and “factors not related to unfair hiring practices.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is poised to demote a sergeant, saying she “spread rumors and/or gossip” when she shared copies of a grievance she filed in 2021 accusing higher-ranking department officials of discrimination.

From Los Angeles Times

Those claims have come to the fore again as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department considers whether to demote her.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the last three calendar years, data show the department only sought to demote five sergeants.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bump
• dismiss
• relegate