relegate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "relegate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to sending someone or something to an inferior place or position. For example: "The unpopular candidate was relegated to last place in the polls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She preferred to relegate them to a back room or outhouse, a kind of secret space with a single chair where she could go and sit with the pictures all around her on her own.

The Guardian - Arts

SAP is hoping that its partnership with Commerce One will relegate its bitter rival Oracle to a less influential position within Covisint.With a proper stock-option plan for top staff now approved, a new marketing executive hired from Sony to sell mySAP.com and a more market-friendly management style, Mr Kagermann is betting that recovery in America will soon become evident.

The Economist

Another cause for worry in the party is that it could relegate Scottish MPs (most of whom are Labour) to second-class status within the House of Commons.For the SNP, by contrast, the Smith proposals do not go far enough.

The Economist

The Palestinians also fear that such an acknowledgment might relegate their Arab-Israeli brethren in Israel as second-class citizens.

The Economist

But in the chancelleries of Central Europe such notions are treated with some suspicion for fear they might relegate their countries to second-class membership.Money mattersMuch of the debate on how decisions are to be made comes down to money, particularly in the tricky areas of agricultural and regional policies.

The Economist

The same incentives apply lower down the scale, because all European leagues relegate their bottom teams to a lower division.

The Economist

For the same reason, let the (intergovernmental) Council of Ministers be "the strategic policy-setter", but "don't tilt the institutional balance and relegate the commission".Wider EU or not, Finland already sees the foreigners at it gates.

The Economist

And on July 13th Scotland's football clubs voted to relegate them to the country's bottom division, ensuring that they cannot return to the SPL until the 2015-16 season.Like most clubs today that are not subsidised by a profligate owner, Rangers have consistently spent more on payroll than they could afford in order to keep pace with Celtic.

The Economist

That, not the easily overturned ruling of an obscure federal agency, and not, unfortunately, public opposition, is what will eventually relegate the Redskins name to the trash heap, where it belongs.

The Economist

At a practical level, some could not, or would not, sew, as this would relegate their art to a craft.Having, most of them, moved into the real world and accepting capitalism, they found that capitalism was not always ready to accept them.

The Economist

But the same politicians are withering about the idea that David Cameron, the British prime minister, might relegate Britain to the fringes of Europe in order to protect the country's financial-services industry.One can see a similar attitude in the debate about Germany's role in creating the current euro-mess.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relegate" when you want to emphasize a formal demotion or assignment to a less important position. It carries a stronger connotation than simply "assign".

Common error

Avoid using "relegate" when you mean to "delegate". "Delegate" means to entrust a task or responsibility to another person, while "relegate" means to demote or assign to a lower position. For example, it is incorrect to say "I relegated the task to my assistant" when you mean "I delegated the task to my assistant."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "relegate" is as a transitive verb. It typically requires a direct object, indicating what is being moved to a lower or less important position. Ludwig confirms that "relegate" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relegate" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of assigning someone or something to a lower position or status. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in formal English writing. It's commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, carrying a neutral to professional tone. To ensure accuracy, distinguish "relegate" from "delegate", which involves entrusting tasks rather than lowering status. Consider alternatives like "demote" or "downgrade" to subtly shift your emphasis. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can confidently incorporate "relegate" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Demote

Directly implies a lowering in rank or position.

Downgrade

Suggests a reduction in quality, status, or importance.

Lower in rank

A more descriptive phrase that explicitly indicates a decrease in hierarchical position.

Assign to a lower position

Emphasizes the act of assigning to an inferior role or place.

Reduce to a minor role

Focuses on diminishing the significance or influence of someone or something.

Marginalize

Suggests pushing someone or something to the periphery or edge of importance.

Subordinate

Implies placing someone or something under the authority or control of another.

Displace

Highlights the act of removing someone or something from a position or place.

Reassign

Suggests moving someone or something to a different, potentially less desirable, position.

Depose

Implies removing someone from a high office or position of power, typically by force or authority.

FAQs

How to use "relegate" in a sentence?

"Relegate" means to assign to a lower rank or position. For example, "The team's poor performance led the manager to "relegate" several players to the bench."

What can I say instead of "relegate"?

You can use alternatives like "demote", "downgrade", or "lower in rank" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "relegate" or "delegate"?

The correct word depends on the intended meaning. "Relegate" means to assign to a lower position, while "delegate" means to entrust a task to someone else. Choose the word that fits the situation.

What's the difference between "relegate" and "demote"?

"Relegate" implies a broader assignment to a lower position or status, while "demote" specifically refers to a reduction in rank or grade within a hierarchy. "Demote" is a more direct and formal term than relegate.