demotion
Drop in standing
Demotion is a reduction in rank, status, or position—the opposite of promotion.
An employee demoted from manager to associate loses authority and often pay.
The word applies beyond workplaces: a sports team can face demotion to a lower league, or a planet can suffer demotion to dwarf status.
After the scandal, his demotion was swift.
Assignment to lower status
- reassignmentShifting to new duties
- sideliningRemoving from participation
- downgradeReduce in status
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
probation · underperformance · bypass · plateau · stagnation · setback · demerit · realignment
Decline in condition
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- disgraceLoss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- stigmaMark of dishonor
downfall · disfavor · discredit · diminishment · debasement · belittlement · disparagement · loss of face
Sadness from unmet expectations
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- discouragementLoss of confidence
- demoralizationLoss of confidence and hope
humiliation · dejection · bitterness · wounded pride · disillusionment · crestfallen · deflated · dismayed
Trained self-control or specialty
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- corrective actionSteps to fix identified problems
consequence · probation · suspension · disciplinary action · censure · rebuke · admonishment · warning
relegation
Assignment to lower status
- reassignmentShifting to new duties
- sideliningRemoving from participation
- downgradeReduce in status
restructuring · probation · underperformance · bypass · plateau · stagnation · setback · demerit · realignment · transfer
degradation
Decline in condition
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- disgraceLoss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
stigma · downfall · disfavor · discredit · diminishment · debasement · belittlement · disparagement · loss of face · dishonor
disappointment
Sadness from unmet expectations
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- discouragementLoss of confidence
demoralization · humiliation · dejection · bitterness · wounded pride · disillusionment · crestfallen · deflated · dismayed · dispirited
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
corrective action · consequence · probation · suspension · disciplinary action · censure · rebuke · admonishment · warning · write-up
- career killersburnout, firing, layoff, job loss, bad reference
- work problemslayoff, firing, low pay, burnout, deadline pressure
- workplace changeslayoff, hiring, merger, firing, reorganization
- career problemsunderemployment, overqualification, skills gap, job displacement, career stagnation
- downgradescredit downgrade
- workplace disciplinedisciplinary action, disciplinary hearing, disciplinary record, disciplinary review, corrective action
demotionpromotion
Rank increase or publicity
advancement · elevation · career advancement · upgrade · upgrading
demotionelevation
Height above reference point
ennoblement · exaltation · aggrandizement · raising · uplift
demotionrecognition
Perceiving something as known
reward · commendation · honor · accolade · endorsement
- demotic scriptEgyptian vernacular writing system