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
There may, of course, be other reasons not to deploy these tools—such as the risk of collateral damage to diplomatic allies—but Trump has not been sensitive to such concerns in other policy areas.
—
Edward Fishman, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
The death of civilians is often collateral damage.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
Pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife can all quickly become collateral damage, as outdoor pest control gradually breaks down their natural defenses.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The negative effects start to build on themselves very rapidly and the collateral damage becomes more widespread, said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
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Edward Fishman, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
The death of civilians is often collateral damage.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
Pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife can all quickly become collateral damage, as outdoor pest control gradually breaks down their natural defenses.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The negative effects start to build on themselves very rapidly and the collateral damage becomes more widespread, said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 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 22 Nov. 2025.
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