What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disinvest
Example
The company decided to disinvest from its underperforming subsidiaries. [disinvest: verb]
Example
The government is planning to disinvest its shares in the state-owned enterprise. [disinvest: verb]
Example
The fund manager recommended disinvesting from the high-risk stocks. [disinvesting: gerund or present participle]
divest
Example
The company decided to divest its non-core businesses to focus on its core operations. [divest: verb]
Example
The university divested from fossil fuel companies to align with its sustainability goals. [divested: past tense]
Example
The CEO divested his personal holdings in the company to avoid conflicts of interest. [divested: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Divest is more commonly used than disinvest in everyday language, and it has a broader meaning that covers a wider range of contexts. Disinvest is less common and is typically used in the context of finance or investment.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between disinvest and divest?
Divest is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as business or politics, while disinvest is more commonly used in technical or specialized contexts, such as finance or economics.