divest meaning and definition

DIVEST verb

Definition of divest (verb)

1. take away possessions from someone
   • "The Nazis stripped the Jews of all their assets"
   • synonyms: deprive, strip
2. deprive of status or authority
   • "he was divested of his rights and his title"; "They disinvested themselves of their rights"
   • synonyms: disinvest
   • antonym: enthrone
3. reduce or dispose of; cease to hold (an investment)
   • "The company decided to divest"; "the board of trustees divested $20 million in real estate property"; "There was pressure on the university to disinvest in South Africa"
   • synonyms: disinvest
   • antonym: commit
4. remove (someone's or one's own) clothes
   • "The nurse quickly undressed the accident victim"; "She divested herself of her outdoor clothes"; "He disinvested himself of his garments"
   • synonyms: disinvest, strip, undress