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 guide notes that kinetic strikes come with higher risk of causing collateral damage and impacting bystanders. — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Too often a car crash involves collateral damage to other vehicles or bystanders. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

The collateral damage of Catherine’s quest can be devastating. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026

Contemporary efforts at pest control have also caused unanticipated collateral damage. — Elan Abrell, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for collateral damage

• ramage
• samaj