Word: Demotion
Definition:
Demotion is a noun that means the act of lowering someone in rank or position. This usually happens in a job or workplace when someone is given less responsibility or a lower title than before.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "demotion" when talking about job changes or situations where someone is moved to a lower position. It often implies that the change was not positive for the person affected.
Example Sentence:
"After the company downsized, Sarah received a demotion from manager to assistant."
Advanced Usage:
In more professional or formal contexts, you might encounter "demotion" in discussions about performance evaluations, organizational changes, or labor relations. For example, "The board decided that due to repeated underperformance, a demotion was necessary to realign team responsibilities."
Word Variants:
- Demote (verb): To lower someone in rank or position.
- Example: "Due to budget cuts, the company had to demote several employees." - Demoted (adjective): Describing someone who has been lowered in rank.
- Example: "He felt discouraged after being demoted."
Different Meaning:
While "demotion" primarily refers to a reduction in job rank, it can also be used more loosely to describe a decrease in status or importance in various contexts (like social situations).
Synonyms:
- Downgrade
- Reduction
- Reassignment
- Displacement
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There aren't specific idioms directly related to "demotion," but you might encounter phrases like "take a step back," which can imply a similar idea of reducing one's responsibilities or status.