The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word RELEGATED
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
R
E
L
E
G
A
T
E
D
More clues leading to the result RELEGATED
- Looking angry about messenger being banished
- Pope’s emissary embraced by cardinal and sent down
- Cardinal imprisoning papal envoy is demoted
- Get leader in revolt sent down
- Get leader redeployed and demoted
- Demoted Socialist member dined in
- Demoted socialist entertaining emissary
- Put down — for example, told to go outside
- Get leader moved and demoted
- Dubiously get leader consigned to obscurity
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "demoted" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case demoted = relegated.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does RELEGATED mean?
RELEGATED verb- Exile, banish, remove, or send away.
- (in extended use) Consign or assign.
- Refer or submit.