From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdemotede‧mote /dɪˈməʊt $ -ˈmoʊt/ verb [transitive] DOWNto make someone’s rank or position lower or less important OPP promotebe demoted to something The sergeant was demoted to private.Grammar Demote is often used in the passive. —demotion /-ˈməʊʃən $ -ˈmoʊ-/ noun [countable, uncountable]→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
demote• Dismiss, suspend, or demote all or any employees who participate in such strike or violation. 2.• The trouble with this manoeuvre is that it can not help but demote poetry.• It threatens to demote the Brussels institutions, especially the Commission, by setting up an alternative centre of decision-making.• The remarks followed the company's attempt to demote the men.• Her old scarf, purple rayon printed with black flowers, she would demote to second-best.• The aim of semantic processing is to demote word combinations that are not meaningful.From Longman Business Dictionarydemotede‧mote /dɪˈməʊt-ˈmoʊt/ verb [transitive]HUMAN RESOURCES to give someone a job with a lower rank or position than they had beforeConstructive dismissal can include demoting you or reducing your salary.demote somebody to somethingAfter a Cabinet reshuffle, he was demoted to Deputy Education Secretary.demote somebody from somethingHe was demoted from his position as chairman of the board last April. —demotion noun [countable, uncountable]She could remain on the staff if she accepted demotion to ordinary lecturer.→ See Verb tableOrigin demote (1800-1900) de- + promote 