collateral damage
noun
: injury inflicted on something other than an intended target
specifically
: civilian casualties of a military operation
Examples of collateral damage in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The war with Iran is doing collateral damage to the world economy.
—
Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The war with Iran is doing collateral damage to the world economy.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
As this technology moves faster, there is also higher potential for error and collateral damage.
—Justin Salhani, The Dial, 5 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
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Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The war with Iran is doing collateral damage to the world economy.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
As this technology moves faster, there is also higher potential for error and collateral damage.
—Justin Salhani, The Dial, 5 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
Cite this Entry
“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collateral%20damage. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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