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
Herbicide Damage Yellowing leaves can also occur as collateral damage from nearby weed killer applications.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
But the investigations are dragging on, and the EU’s biggest safeguard measure must be applied globally, meaning trade partners in good standing would be affected as collateral damage.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 June 2026
The history of warfare is often measured in winners, losers, troop sizes, dollars and human casualties; but collateral damage across the animal kingdom far outlasts the final shot.
—The Los Angeles Times, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
The vice president and other officials have downplayed evidence of collateral damage in their crackdown on fraudulent hospices.
—Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
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Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
But the investigations are dragging on, and the EU’s biggest safeguard measure must be applied globally, meaning trade partners in good standing would be affected as collateral damage.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 June 2026
The history of warfare is often measured in winners, losers, troop sizes, dollars and human casualties; but collateral damage across the animal kingdom far outlasts the final shot.
—The Los Angeles Times, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
The vice president and other officials have downplayed evidence of collateral damage in their crackdown on fraudulent hospices.
—Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 15 June 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 23 Jun. 2026.
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