surveillance
0 antonyms and opposites of surveillance, grouped by meaning.
Noun — Close, ongoing observation of a person, group, or place, especially to gather information or watch for wrongdoing.
How to use surveillance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed from French surveillance, from surveiller ("to watch over"), from sur- ("over") + veiller ("to watch"), from Latin vigilare ("to be watchful") — the same root as "vigilant".
Full origin of surveillance →Frequently asked questions
What does “surveillance” mean?
The word “surveillance” means close, ongoing observation of a person, group, or place, especially to gather information or watch for wrongdoing. In plain terms, close, continuous watching, often for security or investigative purposes.
How do you pronounce “surveillance”?
“Surveillance” is pronounced suh-VAY-luhns (/sɚˈveɪ.ləns/ in IPA).
How do you use “surveillance” in a sentence?
Here is “surveillance” used in a sentence: “The suspect was placed under police surveillance.”
What part of speech is “surveillance”?
“Surveillance” is a noun.
Where does the word “surveillance” come from?
The word “surveillance” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French surveillance, from surveiller ("to watch over"), from sur- ("over") + veiller ("to watch"), from Latin vigilare ("to be watchful") — the same root as "vigilant".
Is “surveillance” a common word?
“Surveillance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "surveillance" and "monitoring"?
"Surveillance" implies close, often covert observation of people or places to detect wrongdoing or gather information, while "monitoring" is broader and more neutral, covering the routine tracking of systems, data, or conditions. All surveillance is monitoring, but not all monitoring is surveillance.
What is the difference between "surveillance" and "reconnaissance"?
"Surveillance" is sustained, ongoing watching of a target over time, whereas "reconnaissance" is a shorter, exploratory survey carried out to gather information before an operation. Surveillance is continuous; reconnaissance is a preliminary scouting step.
Is "surveillance" a formal word?
"Surveillance" is a formal term common in law enforcement, security, and technology contexts. Everyday alternatives include "watching" or "keeping an eye on" someone or something.
What are common collocations with "surveillance"?
Common phrases include "under surveillance," "surveillance camera," "mass surveillance," and "surveillance footage." These pairings appear often in security, policing, and privacy discussions.