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
And that’s just one example of how real lives at home and abroad are becoming collateral damage of Trump’s hasty moves.
—
Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
While the lawsuits have undoubtedly targeted some properties that deserved to be foreclosed upon, the Herald’s investigation shows that Weidner’s work on behalf of these cities has also had collateral damage.
—Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
The government encouraging Americans to inform on other people or businesses will produce collateral damage.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
The Tuskegee Airmen, once American heroes, nearly became collateral damage in a political battle.
—Delano Massey, Axios, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for collateral damage 
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Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
While the lawsuits have undoubtedly targeted some properties that deserved to be foreclosed upon, the Herald’s investigation shows that Weidner’s work on behalf of these cities has also had collateral damage.
—Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
The government encouraging Americans to inform on other people or businesses will produce collateral damage.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
The Tuskegee Airmen, once American heroes, nearly became collateral damage in a political battle.
—Delano Massey, Axios, 1 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2025.
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