rétrograder

to demote, to downgrade

verb reh-tro-gra-DEH Rare

Also means

to go backwards, to regress

Usage Note

Rétrograder covers both concrete and abstract regression: in sport it means to be relegated to a lower division; in the workplace, to be demoted. In motoring, rétrograder also means to change down a gear. The noun is rétrogradation.

Examples

"L'équipe risque de rétrograder en deuxième division."

Natural Translation

The team risks being relegated to the second division.

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