1
as in fatalities
a person or thing harmed, lost, or destroyed
the real casualties in the war against drugs are millions of innocent children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accidents
a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury
casualties at sea that sometimes resulted in great losses of men or even of entire ships
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chances
archaic
the uncertain course of events
believes finding one's true love is too important a matter to be left to mere casualty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of casualties
The Targaryen civil war has been a bit of a slow burn so far, though both sides of the family have suffered major casualties.
—
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Pumphrey was one of 14 casualties from the Battle of Camden who were reburied in 2024.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 June 2026
However, with the escalation of the war and increasing casualties and damage to the country’s infrastructure, the anti-war voices have been amplified, Iranians have told ABC News.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 18 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
Could and should the Israelis have been more careful with civilian casualties?
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
The administration has been unwilling to share other key details with lawmakers or the public about the war’s effects, including civilian casualties, the deployment of munitions, and the stress on the thousands of personnel rushed to the region.
—Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
So far, there have been no reports of damage or casualties.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 11 June 2026
Trump has frequently made the point that the casualties in Iran are vastly fewer than the deaths during past American conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and elsewhere.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Pumphrey was one of 14 casualties from the Battle of Camden who were reburied in 2024.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 June 2026
However, with the escalation of the war and increasing casualties and damage to the country’s infrastructure, the anti-war voices have been amplified, Iranians have told ABC News.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 18 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
Could and should the Israelis have been more careful with civilian casualties?
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
The administration has been unwilling to share other key details with lawmakers or the public about the war’s effects, including civilian casualties, the deployment of munitions, and the stress on the thousands of personnel rushed to the region.
—Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
So far, there have been no reports of damage or casualties.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 11 June 2026
Trump has frequently made the point that the casualties in Iran are vastly fewer than the deaths during past American conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and elsewhere.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for casualties
Noun
-
The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
Three spearfishing divers have been killed by sharks off the Australian coast since May 16, bringing the total of fatalities in the nation this year to four.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The alert also cited jet ski accidents involving American citizens, including a rider killed in a boat collision and cases of operators ignoring warnings of dangerous weather.—
Robert Abitbol,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
Founded in 1978, the auxiliary supports sworn officers at accidents sites and natural disasters and other emergences by providing crowd control and traffic direction.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
In addition to scoring the match’s only goal so far, Czechia leads in shots and chances created.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
Soccer pundits claim that a team needs at least a win and a draw (4 points) to improve their chances of moving into the Round of 32, and that is exactly what both Canada and Qatar will aim for.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The Israeli strikes killed five people around the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, according to the official news agency NNA, and the army said a soldier was along the victims.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
As distressing as their circumstance is, Naim and Ryan are unmistakably positioned as heroic lovers, not victims-to-be.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The viral bag has been called the team’s good luck charm.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Sometimes a little luck can go a long way, and Japan found that out firsthand in its 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in group stage action in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The verdict was delivered amid difficult personal circumstances for Mette-Marit, Hoiby’s mother, who needs a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Investigation underway The Kentucky State Police is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding both crashes and the events that led to Suresh entering the roadway.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
-
The ban prohibits any item that could obstruct lifeguard views, overcrowd the beach, create tripping hazards, or hinder emergency responders.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Casualties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/casualties. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
