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
Cases are won, but not without collateral damage; relationships mend, but not without scars.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 25 Sep. 2025
So far no major gang leader has been killed, while the collateral damage has been documented in three separate incidents, including the deaths of two SWAT officers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Gut instincts and history might tell us that stock, crypto and housing prices cannot retreat without collateral damage to the economy.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
Of course, the pair’s attempts to bury the past only cascade into further collateral damage and ethical compromise.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
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Okla Jones, Essence, 25 Sep. 2025
So far no major gang leader has been killed, while the collateral damage has been documented in three separate incidents, including the deaths of two SWAT officers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Gut instincts and history might tell us that stock, crypto and housing prices cannot retreat without collateral damage to the economy.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
Of course, the pair’s attempts to bury the past only cascade into further collateral damage and ethical compromise.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 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 Sep. 2025.
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