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 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
As before, there will be much collateral damage, along with opportunities for courage and decency.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Evolution brings all kinds of collateral damage.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Well, one person’s cultural tragedy is another, far richer person’s accidental collateral damage.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
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Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
As before, there will be much collateral damage, along with opportunities for courage and decency.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Evolution brings all kinds of collateral damage.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Well, one person’s cultural tragedy is another, far richer person’s accidental collateral damage.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 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 5 Mar. 2026.
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