COLLATERAL DAMAGE Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

collateral damage

noun

Definition of collateral damage

as in fatality

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of collateral damage Too often a car crash involves collateral damage to other vehicles or bystanders. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 The collateral damage of Catherine’s quest can be devastating. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026 Contemporary efforts at pest control have also caused unanticipated collateral damage. — Elan Abrell, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 The city's population has grown, meaning there are more people at risk from collateral damage. — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for collateral damage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for collateral damage

Noun

The incident marked the city’s 15th pedestrian death and 29th overall traffic fatality of 2026.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
The man’s death is the 46th traffic fatality recorded this year, according to Capt.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of fatality

Noun

During the investigation, police were alerted to two shooting victims who had walked into area hospitals, including Chance.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Mines Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou expressed condolences to victims’ families and warned miners about the dangers of unsafe mining practices, according to a statement posted by the ministry.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of victim

Noun

Both fell into the water and caused no damage or casualties, the UAE said on Wednesday.

— Jenni Reid,Emma Graham, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
All strategic objectives in Iran are failing, while half-hearted support for Ukraine has resulted in a devastating surge in civilian casualties.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of casualty

Noun

This is because there is a tendency for some people to fall prey to cognitive offloading, in which humans lean heavily on AI to do their critical thinking.

— Cheryl Johnson, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Women and feminized men, in Finckenstein’s telling, were the natural prey and proof of Ebel’s corruption.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of prey

Noun

Kahleah Copper had 38 points for the Mercury (13-24), who were in the WNBA Finals last season, but were eliminated from the playoff chase with the loss.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
On a night that featured plenty of highlights, from Blade Tidwell’s strong start to Dylan Smith’s gutsy relief appearance to Andrew Knizner’s big night, San Francisco couldn’t avoid its 11th walk-off loss of the season.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of loss

Noun

For months, many at City Hall had expected Raman to make a stink if she was yanked from her post, transforming herself into a martyr.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
In between Amos’s lines, In Times of Dragons is a saga of survival introducing different muses along the way, from a real-life ancestor, a martyr who fell in love with Jesus, and a group of rugged women.

— Tina Eves, SPIN, 13 July 2026

Definition of martyr

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collateral damage

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Style

“Collateral damage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collateral%20damage. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of collateral damage

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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