reconnoiter

variants or reconnoitre
Definition of reconnoiternext
as in to explore
to go to (a place or area) in order to find out information especially about a military enemy; to do a reconnaissance of (a place) An expedition reconnoitered the coast to find out the exact location of enemy forces.

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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 reconnoiter Some drones drop bombs, some serve as missiles, while others reconnoiter. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 How Drones Challenge Snipers Unmanned Aircraft Systems, including fiber optic drones, can reconnoiter vast stretches of territory and can use a wide variety of sensors to perform surveillance. Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2026 What kind of action plan is visualized to reconnoiter that object? Leonard David, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Thomas Caldwell Thomas Caldwell, a Navy veteran who once worked for the FBI, coordinated a planned armed response and engaged in reconnoitering the Capitol, prosecutors said. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023 The paddlers quickly pulled off to the right bank, secured the canoes and set up camp, while a scouting party hacked their way through the brush to reconnoiter. Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023 Beginning in late 2026, Hera will reconnoiter both Dimorphos and Didymos to take measurements of the rocks and show how DART changed the system. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Mar. 2023 Along the way the spacecraft will scrutinize Saturn’s mysterious and spectacular rings and reconnoiter its many satellite worlds, especially Titan — the largest moon in the solar system and, it is believed, the only one with its own atmosphere. Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 6 Aug. 2020 Squat under the brush; bend to see around branches and trees; crawl to reconnoiter dense thickets. 46. Outdoor Life, 19 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reconnoiter
Verb
  • The line itself formed a giant coil of attendees waiting to explore the convention.
    Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2026
  • Visitors can browse books, research future projects, learn outdoor skills like pitching a tent or explore the library's one-mile loop trail.
    Kennedy Cook, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Max Hahn, who played an important role in scouting Mateus Fernandes, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Axel Disasi, Soungoutou Magassa and Crysencio Summerville, resigned as head of recruitment last month.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Don't be surprised if the other person starts scouting escape routes.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reconnoiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reconnoiter. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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