collateral damage

See synonyms for collateral damage on Thesaurus.com

noun

the killing of civilians in a military attack.
any damage incidental to an activity.

Origin of collateral damage

First recorded in 1985–90

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use collateral damage in a sentence

The euphemism of “collateral damage” comes with that package.
Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’ | Clive Irving | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And even with that this book gives us so much collateral damage—the really young kids, the city itself, the school system.
Book Bag: Gritty Essentials About the Windy City | Alexai Galaviz-Budziszewski | May 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And even with that this book gives us so much collateral damage, the really young kids, the city itself, the school system.
Crime and Punishment, Chicago Style: Five Books on Life in Chi-Town | Alexai Galaviz-Budziszewski | April 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
More regulations, and further public education may be required to cap and stem the collateral damage.
The Foraging Wars: Extreme Eating Hits California | Debra A. Klein | January 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“Sometimes there is collateral damage, but it is rare,” said Bauer.
The Mad Gunman of Paris | Christopher Dickey | November 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

When used, Rapid Dominance would ensure favorable early resolution of issues with minimal loss of lives and collateral damage.
Shock and Awe | Harlan K. Ullman
In the attempt to keep war "immaculate," at least in limiting collateral damage, one point should not be forgotten.
Shock and Awe | Harlan K. Ullman
Rapid Dominance would ensure favorable early resolution of issues at minimal loss of lives and collateral damage.
Shock and Awe | Harlan K. Ullman
He is liable for direct damage both to your chimneys and any collateral damage caused by fall of bricks into garden, etc., etc.
With The Night Mail | Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for collateral damage

collateral damage

noun

military unintentional damage to civil property and civilian casualties, caused by military operations

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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