force majeure

American  

[fawrs ma-zhœr] / fɔrs maˈʒœr /

noun

Law.

forces majeures plural

1. an unexpected and disruptive event that may operate to excuse a party from a contract.

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force majeure British  

/ ˈfɔːs mæˈʒɜː, -ˈdʒʊə /

noun

1. law irresistible force or compulsion such as will excuse a party from performing his or her part of a contract

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• forces majeures
  plural

Etymology

Origin of force majeure

First recorded in 1880–85; from French: literally, “superior force”

Example Sentences

Although global LNG exports increased in June to their highest level since March, according to ANZ analysts, QatarEnergy recently extended force majeure on some LNG shipments, fueling market nervousness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and a force majeure at Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility have knocked roughly a third External link of the world’s helium supply offline.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

It warned it would be forced to declare force majeure for up to five years on some long-term LNG contracts, signalling it may be unable to fulfill the agreements.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

"Our results are most consistent with people moving under force majeure, relying on family networks to navigate crisis."

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Kitty would certainly have betrayed her husband but for the force majeure arrayed against her.

From The Marriage of William Ashe by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.