definitions

demote

[ dih-moht ]
/ dɪˈmoʊt /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR demote ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), de·mot·ed, de·mot·ing.

to reduce to a lower grade, rank, class, or position (opposed to promote): They demoted the careless waiter to busboy.

RELATED WORDS

lowering, reduction, degradation

Nearby words

demonym, demoralize, demos, demoscene, demosthenes, demote, demothball, demotic, demount, dempsey, dempster

Origin of demote

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

Related forms

de·mo·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for demotion

  • Moving to Hulu like Larry King could give him free rein—but is that too much of a demotion from venerable Tonight?

    Where Does Jay Leno Go Next?|Kevin Fallon|April 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

  • He just felt that he was reasonably secure against promotion, and that he need not be afraid of "demotion."

    John Wesley, Jr.|Dan B. Brummitt

British Dictionary definitions for demotion

demote

/ (dɪˈməʊt) /

verb

(tr) to lower in rank or position; relegate

Derived Forms

demotion, noun

Word Origin for demote

C19: from de- + (pro) mote
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012