COLLATERAL DAMAGE Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

collateral damage

noun

Definition of collateral damage

as in fatality

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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 Recently, anger at this collateral damage, heightened by the fish shortage, has evolved into a political movement. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 The company says the design supports precision strikes while reducing the risk of collateral damage. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026 There even seemed to be some collateral damage in the market on other AI companies, too. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 19 Oct. 2026 When Tommy dies as collateral damage of Carrie’s violence in the finale, his final words will be about those same stars. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collateral damage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for collateral damage

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

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

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

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collateral

collateral damage

collateral damages

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Style

“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collateral%20damage. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of collateral damage

noun

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