1881, American English coinage from de- + stem of promote. Said to have been Midwestern in origin.
Regarding an antithesis to 'promote,' the word universally in use in Cambridge, in Harvard College, is drop. The same word is in use in the leading schools here (Boston). I hope I may be counted every time against such barbarisms as 'demote' and 'retromote.' [Edward Everett Hale, 1892, letter to the publishers of "Funk & Wagnalls' Standard Dictionary"]
Related: Demoted; demoting.
实用例句
1. It's very difficult to demote somebody who has been standing in during maternity leave.
要将一个在别人休产假期间顶替上来的人再降职是非常困难的。
来自柯林斯例句
2. An employer who has lost confidence in the ability of an employee may demote him.
雇佣人对被雇佣人之能力失去信心时得予以降职.
来自辞典例句
3. I should demote you from senior minister to elder.
我要把你从高级牧师降级为长老.
来自互联网
4. Demote - Players can demote other players in the guild.