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
Ligaments can easily become collateral damage as surgeons create a pocket for the implants.
—
Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025
Remember the big picture, people, and stop using taxpayers as pawns, or worse yet, collateral damage.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Warner had fought off a Tristan Wirfs block and turned to join the tackle when his ankle became collateral damage.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Part of the collateral damage was the manuscript of Thorkelín’s edition of Beowulf (though not his two transcripts).
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
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Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025
Remember the big picture, people, and stop using taxpayers as pawns, or worse yet, collateral damage.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Warner had fought off a Tristan Wirfs block and turned to join the tackle when his ankle became collateral damage.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Part of the collateral damage was the manuscript of Thorkelín’s edition of Beowulf (though not his two transcripts).
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
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 30 Oct. 2025.
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