Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Demotion: meaning, definitions and examples

⬇️
Add to dictionary

demotion

 

[ diˈmoʊʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

workplace

The action of lowering someone to a lower rank or grade in their job.

Synonyms

dethronement, downgrade, relegation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
demotion

When someone is given a lower rank or less important position at work or in an organization.

  • After several mistakes at work, she faced a demotion and had to return to her previous position.
  • His demotion from manager to team leader surprised everyone in the office.
downgrade

Generally used when referring to a reduction in status, quality, or rank, especially for products, services, or positions.

  • Following the financial crisis, the company's credit rating was downgraded from A to B.
  • Her job was downgraded to a more junior role after the departmental restructuring.
relegation

Often used in sports to describe when a team is moved to a lower division due to poor performance. Can also be used metaphorically in other contexts.

  • The team's relegation to the second division was a huge disappointment for the fans.
  • His relegation to a smaller role in the project came as a result of his repeated mistakes.
dethronement

Typically used in the context of royalty or leaders being removed from their position of power, often with a dramatic or forceful implication.

  • The king's dethronement marked the end of an era in the kingdom.
  • After the coup, the president's dethronement was met with mixed reactions from the public.

Examples of usage

  • The demotion of the manager was a result of his poor performance.
  • She felt humiliated after receiving a demotion.
  • After the demotion, he had to report to his former subordinates.
  • The demotion came as a shock to the employee.
  • Her demotion was a blow to her career aspirations.
Context #2 | Noun

sports

The act of moving a team to a lower division or rank in a sports competition.

Synonyms

degradation, downgrade, relegation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
demotion

Typically used in workplaces or organizational structures when someone is moved to a lower position or rank.

  • John faced a demotion at work due to poor performance.
  • After the scandal, she received a demotion and was no longer a manager.
relegation

Commonly used in sports or competitive contexts, especially when a team is moved to a lower league or level.

  • The team suffered relegation to the lower division after losing the final match.
  • Relegation is often disappointing for fans and players alike.
downgrade

Frequently used when discussing ratings, classifications, or statuses that are reduced or lowered, can be used in various contexts such as finance, technology, or social status.

  • The company’s credit rating was downgraded from AAA to BBB.
  • After the software update, some features were downgraded, causing user dissatisfaction.
degradation

Often used to describe a decline in quality, condition, or status, and can be applied in both social and physical contexts. It also may carry a negative or humiliating connotation.

  • The environmental degradation in the area has been worrying.
  • She felt a sense of degradation after being humiliated in front of her colleagues.

Examples of usage

  • The demotion of the team was met with disappointment by their fans.
  • After a series of losses, the team faced demotion to a lower league.
  • The demotion of the club led to significant changes in their roster.
  • Players were concerned about the impact of demotion on their careers.
  • The team's demotion was a wake-up call for the management.

Translations

Translations of the word "demotion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rebaixamento

🇮🇳 अवनीति

🇩🇪 Herabstufung

🇮🇩 penurunan pangkat

🇺🇦 пониження

🇵🇱 degradacja

🇯🇵 降格 (こうかく)

🇫🇷 rétrogradation

🇪🇸 degradación

🇹🇷 rütbe düşürme

🇰🇷 강등 (降等)

🇸🇦 خفض الرتبة

🇨🇿 snížení

🇸🇰 degradácia

🇨🇳 降级 (jiàngjí)

🇸🇮 degradacija

🇮🇸 lækkun

🇰🇿 лауазымды төмендету

🇬🇪 დაბალდება

🇦🇿 vəzifədən aşağı düşmə

🇲🇽 degradación

Etymology

The word 'demotion' originated in the mid-17th century from the Latin word 'demovere', which means 'to remove'. It first appeared in English as a term used in a social or military context to denote the lowering of someone's rank or position. Over time, 'demotion' has become commonly associated with workplace scenarios, reflecting the act of lowering an employee's rank or grade due to performance issues or restructuring. In sports, 'demotion' is often used to describe the movement of a team to a lower division or rank in a competition.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,476, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.