divest
divest Lexical Profile
divest Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To sell off, dispose of, or rid oneself of a business investment, subsidiary, or financial asset, often for ethical, political, or strategic reasons.
"The university endowment voted to divest its holdings in fossil fuel companies over the next five years."
To deprive or strip someone or something of power, rights, possessions, or qualities.
"The constitutional amendment divested the monarch of all remaining legislative authority."
To relieve or free oneself from a burden, responsibility, or obligation.
"Before retiring, the director worked to divest herself of day-to-day administrative duties."
To take off or remove clothing or ornaments; to undress (formal or literary).
"Upon entering the warm cabin, the hikers divested themselves of their heavy winter coats."
Word Nuance & Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'of' or 'from' (e.g., 'divested of authority' or 'divest from fossil fuels'). In modern business and ethics contexts, it is the direct opposite of 'invest'.
• Rhymes for divest
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century as an alteration of earlier 'devest', from Old French 'desvestir' (to undress or strip), ultimately from Latin 'dis-' (away) and 'vestire' (to clothe), from 'vestis' (garment).