Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense reconnoitres, present participle reconnoitring, past tense, past participle reconnoitredregional note: in AM, use reconnoiter
verb
To reconnoitre an area means to obtain information about its geographical features or about the size and position of an army there.
He was sent to Eritrea to reconnoitre the enemy position. [VERB noun]
I left a sergeant in command and rode forward to reconnoitre. [VERB]
Synonyms: inspect, investigate, make a reconnaissance (of), see how the land lies More Synonyms of reconnoitre
reconnoitre in British English
or US reconnoiter (ˌrɛkəˈnɔɪtə)
verb
1.
to survey or inspect (an enemy's position, region of land, etc); make a reconnaissance (of)
noun
2.
the act or process of reconnoitring; a reconnaissance
Derived forms
reconnoitrer (ˌreconˈnoitrer) or US reconnoiterer (ˌreconˈnoiterer)
noun
Word origin
C18: from obsolete French reconnoître to inspect, explore; see recognize
Examples of 'reconnoitre' in a sentence
reconnoitre
All was quiet and he led the way along a narrow whitewashed corridor, pausing to reconnoitre the entrance hall at the end.
Jack Higgins THE KEYS OF HELL (2002)
I'm afraid that's my training; always reconnoitre thoroughly.
Malcolm, John THE GWEN JOHN SCULPTURE (2002)
It was all the more frustrating because the following week she was leaving for Rome, to reconnoitre for The Antiques Roadshow.
Martin, Joy THE IMAGE OF LAURA (2002)
(verb)
Definition
to make a reconnaissance of
I left a sergeant in charge and rode forward to reconnoitre.
Synonyms
inspect
Cut the fruit in half and inspect the pips.
investigate
Gas officials are investigating the cause of the explosion.
make a reconnaissance (of)
see how the land lies
case (slang)
survey
He pushed himself to his feet and surveyed the room.
observe
He studies and observes the behaviour of babies.
explore
We explored the old part of the town.
patrol
Prison officers continued to patrol the grounds.
scan
The officer scanned the room.
scout
I have people scouting the hills already.
scrutinize
She scrutinized his features.
recce (slang)
spy out
get the lie of the land
Additional synonyms
in the sense of explore
Definition
to travel into an unfamiliar region, esp. for scientific purposes
We explored the old part of the town.
Synonyms
travel around,
tour,
survey,
scout,
traverse,
range over,
recce (slang),
reconnoitre,
case (slang),
have or take a look around
in the sense of investigate
Definition
to inquire into (a situation or problem) thoroughly in order to discover the truth
Gas officials are investigating the cause of the explosion.
Synonyms
examine,
study,
research,
consider,
go into,
explore,
search for,
analyse,
look into,
inspect,
look over,
sift,
probe into,
work over,
scrutinize,
inquire into,
make inquiries about,
enquire into
in the sense of observe
Definition
to watch (something) carefully
He studies and observes the behaviour of babies.
Synonyms
watch,
study,
view,
look at,
note,
check,
regard,
survey,
monitor,
contemplate,
check out (informal),
look on,
keep an eye on (informal),
gaze at,
pay attention to,
keep track of,
scrutinize,
keep tabs on (informal),
recce (slang),
keep under observation,
watch like a hawk,
take a dekko at (British, slang, old-fashioned)
Nearby words of
reconnoitre
recondite
recondition
reconnaissance
reconnoitre
reconsider
reconsideration
reconstitute
Synonyms of 'reconnoitre'
reconnoitre
Explore 'reconnoitre' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of patrol
Definition
to engage in a patrol of (a place)
Prison officers continued to patrol the grounds.
Synonyms
police,
guard,
keep watch (on),
pound,
range (over),
cruise,
inspect,
safeguard,
make the rounds (of),
keep guard (on),
walk or pound the beat (of)
in the sense of scan
Definition
to scrutinize carefully
The officer scanned the room.
Synonyms
survey,
search,
investigate,
sweep,
con (archaic),
scour,
scrutinize,
take stock of,
recce (slang)
in the sense of scout
Definition
to examine or observe (something) in order to obtain information
I have people scouting the hills already.
Synonyms
reconnoitre,
investigate,
check out,
case (slang),
watch,
survey,
observe,
spy,
probe,
recce (slang),
spy out,
make a reconnaissance,
see how the land lies
in the sense of scrutinize
Definition
to examine carefully or in minute detail
She scrutinized his features.
Synonyms
examine,
study,
inspect,
research,
search,
investigate,
explore,
probe,
analyse,
scan,
sift,
dissect,
work over,
pore over,
peruse,
inquire into,
go over with a fine-tooth comb
in the sense of survey
Definition
to view or consider (something) as a whole
He pushed himself to his feet and surveyed the room.