casualty

noun

ˈka-zhəl-tē How to pronounce casualty (audio)
Definition of casualtynext
1
as in victim
a person or thing harmed, lost, or destroyed the real casualties in the war against drugs are millions of innocent children

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accident
a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury casualties at sea that sometimes resulted in great losses of men or even of entire ships

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in luck
archaic the uncertain course of events believes finding one's true love is too important a matter to be left to mere casualty

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 casualty Bedlam, between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, was also a realignment casualty. — Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 1 July 2026 New reads abound for your vacation tote throughout the weeks of July, with fiction picks featuring a Carnival cruise casualty, a highly entertaining jewel heist at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a Soviet-era madcap adventure. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Michael Thompson, who resides in Clovis, New Mexico, was taken into custody after authorities received a tip regarding a threat to conduct a mass casualty attack at a Pride event in Lubbock, Texas. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Ukrainian forces have suffered 525,000 to 625,000 casualties, including 125,000 to 150,000 deaths, the study said. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for casualty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for casualty
  1. victim
  2. accident
  3. luck
  4. fatality
  5. chance
  6. circumstance
  7. hazard
Noun
  • The families of the victims said the pain is still as raw to this day.
    — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Most of the victims lived nearby, and funeral prayers were expected later Tuesday.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Since 2023, state regulators have issued 6,928 citations, including 140 for abuse and neglect by staff, 254 for accident hazards, and 257 for failing to control infections, according to state records.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Definition of accident
Noun
  • The group of death in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers wasn’t enough, because in Egypt’s next attempt to reach the finals in 2006, their luck put them in a group with Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast and Samuel Eto’o’s Cameroon.
    — Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • In retrospect, the result looks less like luck than like a compounding advantage.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The three fatalities are believed to have been children all under the age of 13, CBS Chicago reports, citing law enforcement sources.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of fatality
Noun
  • In addition, their style of play makes broad use of their outrageous attacking options, virtually guaranteeing a supply of chances for a player who can score almost any type of goal from anywhere in the attacking third.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 July 2026
  • Amid its six-shot flurry in the initial 10 minutes, Belgium created one golden chance that was a near miss.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of chance
Noun
  • The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Hughes did not respond to a message seeking more information about the circumstances of the crash.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Definition of circumstance
Noun
  • Under federal rules, if a complaint about an infant formula — such as a report of an adverse event — shows a possible health hazard, the company must investigate.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Climbing the tower while it is powered up and transmitting poses particular hazards.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of hazard

Browse Nearby Words

casualties
casualty
casuistic
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Cite this Entry

“Casualty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/casualty. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on casualty

Nglish: Translation of casualty for Spanish Speakers

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