Reconnoitres means to inspect or investigate a certain location or territory before carrying out an operation. There are various synonyms for this word that can be used interchangeably depending on the context of the sentence. These synonyms include scout, survey, explore, scrutinize, examine, analyze, assess, observe, gather intelligence, and recon. Each of these words conveys a slightly different shade of meaning and usage, but they all represent the action of gathering information about an area or terrain. Reconnoitres is a term commonly used in military contexts but can also be applied in other areas like business, research, or travel.