Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

greenmailer

Noun

/ˈɡriːnˌmeɪlər/

Definition

A person who uses threats of hostile takeovers to extort money from companies.

Examples

After acquiring significant shares, the greenmailer threatened to take over the company, demanding a hefty sum for his silence.
Greenmailing is often viewed as a form of corporate blackmail.

Meaning

The term refers to an individual or entity that seeks to gain a profit through the coercive acquisition of shares in a company, often forcing the company to buy back their shares at a premium to avoid a takeover.