demotion

American  

[dih-moh-shuhn] / dɪˈmoʊ ʃən /

noun

demotions plural

1. the act or process of reducing to a lower grade, rank, class, or position, or the result of such a reduction.

   The committee is charged with hearing employee appeals and addressing complaints regarding suspension, demotion, layoff, or termination of employment.

   The company’s bad quarter resulted in a further demotion of their overall rating from C+ to C.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• demotions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of demotion

de- + (pro)motion

Explanation

A demotion is when your rank or position is lowered by a superior. In the military, disobeying orders could result in a demotion. In the military — as well as other careers — people usually move up the ladder with time, rising through the ranks. When your superiors bring you up to a higher level, that's called a promotion, like an assistant manager becoming a manager. However, if you're a manager and you get bumped back to assistant manager, that's a demotion. Demotions occur when someone has broken the rules or has done a poor job. Demotions usually come with a reduction in pay too.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demotion demotions

A couple of years later, he took advantage when he accepted a demotion in order to go to Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

His absence from work resulted in a demotion from lead foreman to an assistant role.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026

Bovino’s apparent demotion came after he made demonstrably false claims that Pretti was aiming to kill federal agents.

From Salon ● Mar. 5, 2026

Since regulations required that department heads be colonels, not generals, Lincoln even took a demotion in his rank and was never again promoted.

From Slate ● Feb. 9, 2026

No one says anything to me about my demotion, and I really don’t care all that much.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Neither investigation resulted in sanctions, but judges said that, in combination with the firings and demotions, the probes conveyed a chilling message that Newby would punish those who crossed him.

From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2025

The UC Academic Senate takes the lead in reviewing faculty misconduct cases and can recommend sanctions, including written censure, salary reductions, demotions, suspensions without pay or dismissal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2025

After a post has been flagged by one of the independent fact-checkers, users will be able to lower or maintain the level of demotions on a post.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 13, 2023

Over the course of the two demotions, her salary dipped from $92,000 to roughly $61,200.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 13, 2023

As is the case every decade, the new arrivals mean some notable demotions.

From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2022