collateral damage

NOUN

unintentional damage to non-military people or property during war

Synonyms

WEAK

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Multiyear conversions often reduce this collateral damage and remain one of the most reliable, low-error strategies for reducing taxes over time.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

This targeted approach allows the immune system to remove threats efficiently while minimizing collateral damage to nearby tissue.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

Mr. Spitz, the author of well-received studies of Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, has a clear-eyed view of the band: the business, the spectacle, the collateral damage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Saini says his university did see a slight dip in international admissions after 2023, driven both by tighter visa rules and diplomatic tensions - but calls it "collateral damage" rather than a direct hit.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

She’s nothing but collateral damage in this whole mess, and it makes me feel some kind of way.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland