demote

[dih-moht]

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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.

Origin of demote

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

Related formsde·mo·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for demotion

lowering, reduction, degradation

Examples from the Web for demotion

Contemporary Examples of 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

Historical Examples of demotion

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

verb

(tr) to lower in rank or position; relegate

Derived Formsdemotion, 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

Word Origin and History for demotion

1901, agent noun from demote (v.).

demote

1881, American English coinage from de- + stem of promote. Said to have been Midwestern in origin.

Regarding an antithesis to 'promote,' the word universally in use in Cambridge, in Harvard College, is drop. The same word is in use in the leading schools here (Boston). I hope I may be counted every time against such barbarisms as 'demote' and 'retromote.' [Edward Everett Hale, 1892, letter to the publishers of "Funk & Wagnalls' Standard Dictionary"]

Related: Demoted; demoting.