demote

1. V-T If someone demotes you, they give you a lower rank or a less important position than you already have, often as a punishment. 使降级; 使降职

It's very difficult to demote somebody who has been filling in during maternity leave. 给替代歇产假的人降职是很难的。

2. demotionN-VAR 降级; 降职

He is seeking redress for what he alleges was an unfair demotion. 他正在为他所声称不公正的降职寻求赔偿。