demotion

noun

as in firing
the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank anyone who objects will get a demotion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demotion Every offensive player must wear coordinator Davis Webb’s demotion. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 Webb is keeping his title as offensive coordinator and continues his work during the week, but this is a demotion in job duties. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2026 However, Harvey said, such a demotion must be carefully implemented so as not to inadvertently punish Championship League teams investing the right way in the hopes of making the top flight. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Discharge, suspension, demotion, and reductions in pay or hours are among the actions that can fall within that framework. — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 McCoy’s lawsuit alleges that her demotion was in violation of Missouri’s whistleblower statute, which allows public employees to sue for unlawful retaliation after reporting violations of law. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 The outcome of the investigation, Balon said, resulted in the officer receiving a demotion in rank, an unpaid suspension, an indefinite suspension from the use of Flock and remedial ethics training. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Now, in 2026, some still can't get over Pluto's demotion to a dwarf planet. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Astronomers in favor of Pluto's demotion argued that a planet by definition should have cleared its orbit around the sun. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demotion
  1. firing
  2. dismissal
  3. reduction
  4. humiliation
  5. sacking
Noun
  • Now, his firing triggers a buyout package of around $12 million, according to Yahoo's Ross Dellenger.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The container’s roof opens before launch, allowing the internal launcher to rise into its firing position.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of firing
Noun
  • Showers could develop around lunchtime and continue into the afternoon, potentially affecting school dismissal in some neighborhoods.
    — Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Titans announced Elliott’s dismissal on Tuesday but provided no details on the incident that prompted it.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismissal
Noun
  • The district plans to make about $1 million in reductions during the 2027-28 academic year regardless of the referendum, according an infographic from the district.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Schmidt expects that kind of workforce reduction to become more common as AI makes businesses more efficient.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduction
Noun
  • The same musical inflection that voices humiliation in Waller’s song becomes an expression of delighted discovery in the Gershwins’.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In a May 2023 Instagram post, Allen apologized to Gale for having an affair and acknowledged that his choices brought shame and humiliation to his family.
    — Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of humiliation
Noun
  • Thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets to demand the sacking of Syrskyi — an old-guard military commander blamed by his critics for heavy troop losses at the front line — and Fedorov’s reinstatement.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Liverpool have been without a specialist set-piece coach since the sacking of Aaron Briggs last December.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of sacking

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Cite this Entry

“Demotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demotion. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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