verb
relegate
REL-ih-gayt/ˈrelɪɡeɪt/
To move someone or something to a lower or less important position.
The manager relegates an employee to a lower position on the organizational chart.
Etymology
The components formed a verb meaning to send away, specifically into exile. That removal from a place developed into removal from standing: assigning someone an inferior position.
In context
But despite this, it was modestly successful with audiences, and the stage version was performed 16 times over a period of 6 months before history would relegate it to the shadows.
More examples
- Budget cuts relegate road repairs to the bottom of the priority list.
- After several mistakes, the coach relegated him to the bench.
- Her contributions are often relegated to a footnote.
Forms
relegate · relegates · relegated · relegating
relegation noun — Assignment to a lower rank or position.
Similar words
- demote
- Usually means formally lowering someone's rank within an organization.
- downgrade
- Often means reducing an official rating, classification, or status.
- sideline
- Emphasizes removing someone from active participation rather than lowering rank.