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 Strategic promise and unresolved risks Pathak has repeatedly emphasized that humanoid robots could reduce reliance on airstrikes or heavy weapons by enabling precise, ground-level interventions, potentially lowering collateral damage. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025 The rot that ensues — of minds, culture and institutions — is but collateral damage. Michael Moyer, Quanta Magazine, 16 Dec. 2025 There may, of course, be other reasons not to deploy these tools—such as the risk of collateral damage to diplomatic allies—but Trump has not been sensitive to such concerns in other policy areas. Edward Fishman, Time, 21 Nov. 2025 The death of civilians is often collateral damage. NPR, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collateral damage
Noun
  • The last time annual officer fatalities were at a comparable level was in 1943, when 94 officers were killed in the line of duty.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2026
  • At the time, 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning linked to certain types of wild mushrooms were identified that led to severe liver damage in kids and adults, with one reported fatality.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But what's really cool is how the movie brings those story lines together in a narrative filled with intriguing twists, gnarly kills, heroic sacrifices and a slew of nifty new Predator designs.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Swapping the pie crust for these biscuits is a small sacrifice—if it could even be called that.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Police said evidence suggested Salat was aware of the victim’s age and attempted to meet with the child in person.
    Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.
    Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Britain ultimately lost not only because of Washington’s extraordinary tenacity in the war’s several mainland theaters, but also because the king’s men had to stage long sieges, wage desperate naval battles, and take mounting casualties on too many other fronts spread too far apart.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • While casualties include both Christians and Muslims, and most Boko Haram and ISWAP operations take place in majority-Muslim areas, both groups often emphasize the targeting of Christians in their respective messaging.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers use this sense to detect prey beneath the sand by sensing subtle mechanical vibrations.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Many thousands flee its mandatory, indefinite military service – and some fall prey to exploitative trafficking gangs.
    Mick Krever, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But those guards fell crashing down on Wednesday night in a brutally honest assessment of his team following Boise State’s (9-6, 1-3 Mountain West) 75-58 home loss to Grand Canyon (9-5, 2-1) at ExtraMile Arena.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Despite the losses, Damon traveled to Texas and won the national title, dedicating the victory to his family and supporters.
    Nina Burns, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • What to Know Maloyan was an Armenian bishop and martyr who was killed during the Ottoman genocide in 1915.
    Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Some religious leaders are calling him a martyr, as his faith drove his politics.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collateral%20damage. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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