de·mote 
/diˈmoʊt/ verb
de·motes; de·mot·ed; de·mot·ing /diˈmoʊt/ verb [+ obj] : to change the rank or position of (someone) to a lower or less important one
▪ Teachers can choose to demote a student to a lower grade. ▪ The army major was demoted to captain. — opposite promote
▪ Teachers can choose to demote a student to a lower grade. ▪ The army major was demoted to captain. — opposite promote
— de·mo·tion /dɪˈmoʊʃən/ noun, plural de·mo·tions [count, noncount]
/dɪˈmoʊʃən/ noun, plural de·mo·tions [count, noncount]
