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
But recent operations targeting high-profile gang leaders have not led to any breakthroughs and instead raised concerns at the U.N., the Caribbean Community and elsewhere about collateral damage and human-rights abuses.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
The proclamation this week could also cause troubling collateral damage, critics predict.
—Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 5 June 2025
Trump likes to target climate policies in blue states, particularly California, but that push will result in collateral damage to more politically friendly areas.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
But this will take time and there will certainly be collateral damage.
—Alex Lazarow, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
The proclamation this week could also cause troubling collateral damage, critics predict.
—Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 5 June 2025
Trump likes to target climate policies in blue states, particularly California, but that push will result in collateral damage to more politically friendly areas.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
But this will take time and there will certainly be collateral damage.
—Alex Lazarow, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for collateral damage
Cite this Entry
“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collateral%20damage. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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