Synonyms of reconnaissance

reconnaissance

noun

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

Related Words

• surveillance
• observation
• spying
• espionage
• counterintelligence
• counterespionage
• intelligence
• cloak-and-dagger
• wiretapping
• eavesdropping
• bugging
• tradecraft
• goods
• lowdown
• dope

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reconnaissance

China has since created spacecraft for communications; navigation; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that would have been unimaginable to PLA officials who observed Desert Storm. — Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

This 10-minute control cuts off that reconnaissance and stops attackers from redirecting replies or password-reset messages. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Although presented publicly as civilian technologies, some of the Salyut spacecraft were secretly developed and deployed as reconnaissance platforms equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and other intelligence collection utilities. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

The number includes both airplanes and helicopters as well as drones, with the MQ-9 Reaper drone – used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support and combat search and rescue – accounting for more than half of the losses. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026