Recon, short for reconnaissance, is a military term referring to preliminary scouting or intelligence gathering. Synonyms for recon include survey, inspection, exploration, observation, assessment, and reconnaissance itself. These words all convey the same general activity of collecting information to prepare for a mission or operation. Other related words include scouting, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission. Depending on the context, some synonyms may be more appropriate than others. However, all these words share the common goal of obtaining information for strategic advantage or preparation. In non-military settings, synonyms for recon can include research, investigation, or reconnaissance in a broader sense of exploring new areas or fields of study.