collateral damage

noun

Definition of collateral damagenext
as in fatality

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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 collateral damage In war, by contrast, the costs are shared by both sides, and the collateral damage can be global, drawing the ire of countries distant from the battlefield. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026 Images circulated daily on social media of children killed as collateral damage in strikes on Hamas targets. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026 That financial panic set off a sequence of events that would be called the Great Depression, and the collateral damage included the closing of an era of Republican dominance in Washington. — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026 Recently, anger at this collateral damage, heightened by the fish shortage, has evolved into a political movement. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collateral damage
  1. fatality
  2. sacrifice
  3. victim
  4. casualty
  5. prey
  6. loss
  7. martyr
Noun
  • There was only one fatality linked to a lithium-ion battery fire in 2025.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • As of 2022, seniors represented less than 15 percent of the city’s population but accounted for approximately 45 percent of pedestrian fatalities.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of fatality
Noun
  • Founder Alexis Derriso said the aim is also to raise awareness of female veterans' sacrifices.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Their sacrifice impacted not only their brothers and sisters in uniform, but also their families and communities here at home, which were forever changed by their loss.
    — Beth Hillman, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of sacrifice
Noun
  • In steady rain and silence, thousands marched in Novi Sad on Sunday in a gesture of respect for the victims.
    — MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • American women, being birthed as special victims with special status, are not.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • The country’s Air Force Medical University has developed a drone that can locate casualties and deliver emergency medication remotely.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • According to Stars and Stripes, the Pentagon divides the casualties between two operational categories.
    — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of casualty
Noun
  • Rattlesnakes are lazy hunters that wait in the shadows for prey to approach.
    — RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026
  • One reason for the pattern, after all, is that presidents fall prey to hubris following success in their own elections.
    — Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of prey
Noun
  • Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III’s assignment was to rush the passer on the most pivotal play of the Jayhawks’ 33-32 loss to UCF on Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Not all signal losses are the same Most consumer drones rely on several communication and navigation systems working together.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of loss
Noun
  • The martyr Mohammad passed away after being wounded by occupation forces on Thursday.
    — Suheir Hashimeh, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In Uruapan, 250 miles west of Mexico City, Manzo’s killing has sowed fear and uncertainty within his grassroots opposition Sombrero Movement, where he’s gone from leader to martyr.
    — Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of martyr

Browse Nearby Words

collateral
collateral damage
collateral damages
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Cite this Entry

“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collateral%20damage. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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