(~s, demoting, ~d)
1.
If someone ~s you, they give you a lower rank or a less important position than you already have, often as a punishment.
It’s very difficult to ~ somebody who has been standing in during maternity leave...
? promote
VERB: V n
demotion (demotions)
He is seeking redress for what he alleges was an unfair demotion.
? promotion
N-VAR
2.
If a team in a sports league is ~d, that team has to compete in the next competition in a lower division, because it was one of the least successful teams in the higher division. (BRIT)
The club was ~d at the end of last season.
? promote
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed
demotion
The team now almost certainly faces demotion.
? promotion
N-VAR