1. a person or company that buys a large stake in a corporation and threatens a hostile takeover to force the company to buy back the shares at a premium price
Usage: finance; business

Examples

• The greenmailer accumulated 10% of the company's stock before announcing his intentions.
• Shareholders worried that a greenmailer would force the board into an expensive buyback.
• The company paid a premium to rid itself of the greenmailer's unwanted shares.
• Greenmailers became notorious during the 1980s for their aggressive takeover tactics.
• New regulations were designed to protect companies from greenmailers seeking quick profits.