Definition

1. Verb:
   • To assign to a lower position; reduce in rank: The primary meaning of "demote" is to move someone to a less important or lower-ranking job or position, often as a form of punishment or due to poor performance.
   • To lower in grade or status: It can also refer to the act of lowering something's status or classification in a non-employment context, such as in sports or education.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • The manager decided to demote the employee for repeated policy violations.
  • After the scandal, the officer was demoted to a desk job.
  • The team was demoted to a lower league after a terrible season.

Advanced Usage

• "To be demoted" (Passive Voice): Commonly used to describe the person or entity that experiences the reduction in rank.
  • She was demoted after the project's failure.
• "Demote someone from X to Y": Specifies the previous and new positions.
  • The company demoted him from Vice President to regional manager.

Variants and Related Words

• Demotion (n): The act of demoting or the state of being demoted.
  • His demotion was a shock to the entire department.
• Demotable (adj): Capable of being demoted. (Less common)

Synonyms

• Downgrade: To reduce to a lower grade, rank, or level of importance.
• Relegate: To consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position.
• Bust (informal, especially military/police): To reduce in rank.

Antonyms

• Promote: To advance someone to a higher position or rank.
• Elevate: To raise to a higher rank or position.
• Upgrade: To raise to a higher standard or rank.

Related Phrases

• To get a demotion: To receive a lower rank or position.
  • He got a demotion and a pay cut.
• Face demotion: To be at risk of being demoted.
  • Several players face demotion to the junior squad.

Verb

1. assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
   • She was demoted because she always speaks up
   • He was broken down to Sergeant