collateral damage
Americannoun
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the killing of civilians in a military attack.
-
any damage incidental to an activity.
noun
Etymology
Origin of collateral damage
First recorded in 1985–90
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.
“We are collateral damage of the island’s housing crisis,” Iglesias said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
I can’t count myself in their company, knowing that the collateral damage would likely be massive.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026
Too often a car crash involves collateral damage to other vehicles or bystanders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
"The collateral damage from such strikes could also have a serious impact on the Russian economy, as well as a psychological effect on Russian society and, likely, on continued support for the war."
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
