collateral damage
noun
: injury inflicted on something other than an intended target
specifically
: civilian casualties of a military operation
Examples of collateral damage in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Tuskegee Airmen, once American heroes, nearly became collateral damage in a political battle.
—
Delano Massey, Axios, 1 Feb. 2025
Michele, who beat Rachel soundly, is collateral damage, demoted to third place (and, notably, one point away from a three-way first-place tie).
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
The Iranian government might receive a limited boost in its popular support after U.S. attacks, but depending on their severity, targeting scope, and any unintended collateral damage, average Iranians might also see in them an opportunity to pressure the regime to change.
—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025
Police previously said Huang and her friend, killed as collateral damage, were shot before they were torched — so thoroughly that Parrilla had to be identified through dental records.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
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Delano Massey, Axios, 1 Feb. 2025
Michele, who beat Rachel soundly, is collateral damage, demoted to third place (and, notably, one point away from a three-way first-place tie).
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
The Iranian government might receive a limited boost in its popular support after U.S. attacks, but depending on their severity, targeting scope, and any unintended collateral damage, average Iranians might also see in them an opportunity to pressure the regime to change.
—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025
Police previously said Huang and her friend, killed as collateral damage, were shot before they were torched — so thoroughly that Parrilla had to be identified through dental records.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for collateral damage
Dictionary Entries Near collateral damage
Cite this Entry
“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collateral%20damage. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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