collateral damage

Definition of collateral damagenext

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 The people of Iran are not collateral damage. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Yet that requires taking care to distinguish between the regime and its civilians, and to avoid collateral damage. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 The new grenade, called the M111, becomes the Army’s choice for urban combat, when troops must clear indoor areas to take and hold territory, because there’s less risk of collateral damage. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026 The opening salvo of strikes targeted Iranian government and military sites across the country, but there were allegations of collateral damage. David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collateral damage
Noun
  • This reduced, but did not eliminate, underride fatalities.
    Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The investigation led authorities to update the death toll to 25 fatalities.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Others say the spirit of sacrifice that Kimbangu embodied should be emulated by Congo’s leaders.
    Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • So the couple made a major sacrifice.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.
    Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The harpsichord was also a victim of the orchestral era.
    Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Israeli raids in the city have resulted in severe destruction and many casualties, including the personnel deaths.
    NBC News, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The piece highlights the challenges of documenting casualties amid ongoing conflict and restricted access for journalists.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Sounders capitalize on very specific prey – ghost shrimp – in Puget Sound.
    Daniel Crocker, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Great white sharks were seen as apex predators, so many people struggled to see them as prey for orcas.
    Michael H Gavshon, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Schlapp said there's an easy explanation for Orbán's loss.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The loss against Nashville dropped Charlotte to fifth in the Eastern Conference, a goal behind NYC FC for fourth place with a chance to leapfrog them on Saturday.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The push to elevate Zarutska as a martyr is part of the long backlash to the summer of 2020, after which one online database catalogued thousands of pieces of street art depicting Floyd.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Following the drone strike that killed his relatives, Ghazali had been recording videos of himself and sending them to family in Lebanon, talking about becoming a martyr.
    Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collateral%20damage. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster