divest from

USAGE SUMMARY

"divest from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to get rid of something or to disassociate oneself from it. Example: The company decided to divest from its oil and gas investments in order to focus on renewable energy sources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Divest from the police.

The Washington Post

The family plans to first divest from tar sands commitments.

The Guardian

Mathews Phosa, the ANC's treasurer, says Chancellor House will divest from the consortium soon.

The Economist

The discussion comes as Fossil Free MIT is calling for MIT to divest from fossil fuels.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I will however, continue to divest from carbon in my portfolio.

University of California, Berkeley

Calling for investors to divest from polluters is laudable but won't be enough.

Independent

Students are lobbying their universities to divest from morally dubious industries, such as tobacco or firearms.

The New Yorker

Students across the country are indeed demanding that their colleges divest from fossil fuels.

The New York Times

SHAREHOLDERS at Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting last week considered a resolution to divest from PetroChina.

The Economist

"You don't need to divest from fossil fuels, you need to decarbonise them".

The Guardian

Hopefully this will inspire other universities and organisations to divest from companies profiting from unethical practices".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divest from" to clearly communicate the action of selling off assets or withdrawing investment, especially in discussions related to ethical or financial strategy. It's precise and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "divest from" interchangeably with similar verbs like "withdraw" or "remove" without considering the context. "Divest" specifically implies selling assets or relinquishing investments, not merely taking something away. For example, avoid saying "divest from a problem" if you mean simply "remove yourself from a problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divest from" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of relinquishing investments or holdings, typically for financial or ethical reasons. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "divest from" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that signifies the act of selling off assets or withdrawing investments, often driven by ethical or financial considerations. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and broad applicability. It appears most frequently in "news & media" and "academic" contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. Alternatives include "relinquish investment in" or "sell holdings in", each offering slight nuances. When using "divest from", ensure that it accurately reflects the act of selling assets, and avoid interchanging it loosely with simpler terms such as "withdraw".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disinvest in

A more concise synonym, directly implying the opposite of investing.

Withdraw investments from

Focuses specifically on the act of pulling out existing investments.

Relinquish investment in

Emphasizes surrendering or letting go of an investment; more formal.

Withdraw funding from

Highlights the removal of financial support or investment.

Sell holdings in

Focuses on the act of selling assets specifically.

End financial ties with

Stresses severing the financial relationship.

Liquidate assets in

Refers to converting assets into cash, implying a complete sell-off.

Cut ties with financially

Highlights severing connections, emphasizing the financial aspect.

Separate from financially

Focuses on a formal separation of financial interests.

Divestiture of

A noun form referring to the act of divesting, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

What does "divest from" mean?

The phrase "divest from" means to sell off assets, investments, or holdings in a particular company, industry, or sector. It often implies a strategic or ethical decision to disassociate from something financially.

How is "divest from" used in a sentence?

You can use "divest from" in sentences like, "The university decided to "divest from fossil fuels"," or "The company chose to "divest from its subsidiary"."

What are some alternatives to "divest from"?

Alternatives to "divest from" include phrases like "relinquish investment in", "sell holdings in", or "withdraw funding from". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "divest from" rather than "withdraw from"?

"Divest from" is most appropriate when referring to selling assets or investments, while "withdraw from" is a more general term that can apply to removing oneself from agreements, commitments, or situations, not just financial holdings.