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.

Rosenzweig came to suspect that the “whole” can’t be seized in one grand idea—whether Reason, History or Nation—without turning the individual into collateral damage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

But the world’s population giant is experiencing collateral damage anyway, at an already challenging time.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

They are real human beings and not collateral damage.

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

There are those not only livid with Lord Mandelson, but livid at the collateral damage being done to the prime minister.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Which led to all the collateral damage . . . which made her feel like Godzilla.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell