friendly fire
noun
: the firing of weapons from one's own forces or those of an ally especially when resulting in the accidental death or injury of one's own personnel
Near the river bordering our camp I find the tents of the four soldiers who were supposedly hit by friendly fire.—
Janine Di Giovanni
Janine Di GiovanniAfter all, accidental attacks, though tragic, are common in war. In 1967 alone, "friendly fire" killed 5,373 Americans fighting in Vietnam.—Michael Oren
Michael OrenExamples of friendly fire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He was sent to Afghanistan in 2004, where he was struck by friendly fire and killed on April 22, 2004.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
While it was initially reported that Tillman was killed by enemy fire, the Pentagon told his family that he was killed by friendly fire.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Pat Tillman, who was born in the San Jose area, was killed by friendly fire in 2004 while serving in Afghanistan.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire on the night of April 22, 2004, amid his efforts to provide cover as fellow Army Rangers in eastern Afghanistan were being ambushed.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for friendly fire
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Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
While it was initially reported that Tillman was killed by enemy fire, the Pentagon told his family that he was killed by friendly fire.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Pat Tillman, who was born in the San Jose area, was killed by friendly fire in 2004 while serving in Afghanistan.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire on the night of April 22, 2004, amid his efforts to provide cover as fellow Army Rangers in eastern Afghanistan were being ambushed.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for friendly fire
Cite this Entry
“Friendly fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friendly%20fire. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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