Force majeure

Definitions

1. An overwhelming force.
   uncountable, usually
2. An unavoidable circumstance, especially one that prevents someone from fulfilling a legal (usually contractual) obligation.
   uncountable, usually

Equivalents

Examples

“They [children] realize⟳ their oughts no less sharply than their crosses; and this even though they are midgets in a land⟳ of giants who have⟳ forgotten much of their language and whose right is often founded solely on force⟳ majeure.”

“Gen Y is a "force⟳ majeure" that will determine⟳ the future of the housing market. They are looking for housing solutions that cater to their mobile- and technology-focused lifestyles.”

“Brazil's largest trader of sugar and ethanol declared force⟳ majeure to some third party exporters of sugar with contracts to ship through its Santos Port terminal that burned down on Friday, sources in the sugar trade⟳ said.”

“18. GNM [Guardian News & Media Limited] shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control⟳. Such circumstances shall include⟳, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood⟳, hurricane, strike⟳, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force⟳ majeure.”

“Dated 14 July, the letter from the Russian state gas monopoly said it was declaring force⟳ majeure on supplies, starting from 14 June. Known as an "act of God" clause, a force⟳ majeure clause is standard in business contracts and spells out extreme circumstances that excuse⟳ a party from their legal obligations.”

CEFR level