reconnaissance

noun

Definition of reconnaissancenext
as in surveillance
military activity in which soldiers, airplanes, etc., are sent to find out information about an enemy There are two helicopters available for reconnaissance. reconnaissance missions

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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 reconnaissance In April, Russia launched a fleet of small satellites into an orbit close to a commercial radar remote sensing satellite owned by ICEYE that provides reconnaissance imagery to Ukraine. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026 For military and intelligence agencies, the potential now existed for reconnaissance at a far larger scale than what was possible with high-altitude aircraft. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Then, a friend told her about Holy Family in Springfield, which prompted her reconnaissance mission. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Finding these bucks was the result of a pre-season reconnaissance made especially to locate the big ones. — Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reconnaissance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reconnaissance
  1. surveillance
  2. observation
Noun
  • Cellphone records and surveillance footage helped investigators track Fagan’s movements.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Police said surveillance video showed one of the shooters chase down and fire at one of the victims, then both suspects were seen climbing privacy fences along Lockridge Avenue, according to court documents.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of surveillance
Noun
  • The speech included observations that were hawkish on inflation, mindful of the real economy, and posed questions about the promise of artificial intelligence.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Over the decades, Ernaux has examined class shame through close observation of her parents’ lives, accounted for all-consuming romantic obsession, and transcribed fleeting encounters in supermarkets and trains in the Paris suburbs.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of observation

Browse Nearby Words

reconfirmations
reconnaissance
reconnect
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reconnaissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reconnaissance. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reconnaissance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reconnaissance

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