force majeure

4 synonyms for force majeure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A clause in a contract releasing the parties from their obligations when an extraordinary event outside their control, such as a war, flood or government ban, makes performance impossible.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

act of God clause excusing event act of God unavoidable accident

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A clause in a contract releasing the parties from their obligations when an extraordinary event outside their control, such as a war, flood or government ban, makes performance impossible.

“The supplier invoked force majeure when the port was closed.”

act of God clause excusing event

2. noun

An unforeseeable event of overwhelming power that nobody can guard against or be blamed for.

“The eruption was treated as a force majeure by every insurer involved.”

act of God unavoidable accident

How to use force majeure

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

force majeure clause invoke force majeure declare force majeure force majeure event

Formal and legal. Usually printed in ordinary type in modern contracts; the plural is rarely needed.

Etymology

A borrowing from French, literally 'superior force', taken into English through French contract law.

Full origin of force majeure →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between force majeure and an act of God?

An act of God covers natural events with no human involvement, such as earthquakes and lightning. Force majeure is broader and, depending on the drafting, can also cover wars, strikes, embargoes and government orders.

Does force majeure apply automatically?

In common law systems such as England's, no. Relief depends on a clause in the contract that lists or defines the qualifying events, and courts read those clauses strictly. Some civil law systems do recognise it as a general principle.

Is a pandemic a force majeure event?

Only if the clause covers it, either by naming epidemics and pandemics or through wording broad enough to include government restrictions. Many contracts were rewritten after 2020 to say so explicitly rather than leave it to argument.

Nearby words

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