relegation

Being moved to a lower sports division because your team performed badly during the season.

• The team faces relegation.
• One more win could save the club from relegation.
• Their defeat confirmed relegation to a lower division.

How to use it: relegation from something (The club faces relegation from the top division.); relegation to something (Defeat meant relegation to the second division.)

Opposites: promotion

Common phrases: avoid relegation, face relegation, relegation zone

Being moved to a lower position or rank in an organization.

• His relegation to a junior post surprised everyone.
• She challenged her relegation within the department.
• Relegation to a lower rank meant less responsibility.

How to use it: relegation to something (He resented his relegation to an assistant role.)

Similar words: demotion

Opposites: promotion

Common phrases: relegation to something, relegation in rank

Being treated as less important or given less attention than before.

• The issue’s relegation to the background angered campaigners.
• Her relegation to the sidelines was unfair.
• They opposed the relegation of art to a minor subject.

How to use it: relegation of something to something (The relegation of education to a secondary concern worried teachers.)

Similar words: downgrading, marginalization

Common phrases: relegation to sidelines, relegation of something, relegation to something