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

After coming out of high school as a five-star recruit and spending two seasons starting at Nebraska, Raiola willingly accepted a demotion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026

Chaves denied the charges but received a demotion in their wake.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

But would he accept such a move, which might feel like a demotion?

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026

Having won the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025 at Wembley, their remarkable European journey started in a Swiss courtroom, unsuccessfully appealing their demotion into the Conference League from the second-tier Europa League.

From BBC ● May 7, 2026

The eighth victory in any tournament is therefore critical, the difference between promotion and demotion; it is roughly four times as valuable in the rankings as the typical victory.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

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

Though the department seeks to discipline dozens of deputies each quarter, a review of disciplinary data posted online show demotions are not common.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2024

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

Last fall, the Office of the Inspector General released a report that discussed Ms. Sualog’s case and several demotions and dismissals at the agency that “may have risen to the level of whistle-blower chilling.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 17, 2023