DEMOTE is a term used to describe the act of reducing someone or something in rank, status, or importance. Disrate, declass, DEMERIT, DEPOSE, BREAK, BUMP, DEGRADE, LOWER, DOWNGRADE, BUST, REDUCE, ABASE, and RELEGATE are all words that can be used to describe this action. For example, disrating someone would mean to REDUCE their rank or status, while demeriting them would mean to REDUCE their worth or value. Deposing someone would mean to remove them from their position of power, while breaking them would mean to weaken their spirit or morale. Bumping someone would mean to move them down in rank or status, while degrading them would mean to LOWER their dignity or respect. Lowering someone would mean to REDUCE their level or amount, while downgrading them would mean to REDUCE their quality or value. BUST, REDUCE, ABASE, and RELEGATE are all words that can be used to describe the act of reducing someone or something in rank, status, or importance.