ulterior

[uhl-teer-ee-er] / ʌlˈtɪər i ər /

ADJECTIVE

secret; pertaining to a hidden goal

Synonyms

WEAK

ambiguous buried concealed covert cryptic dark enigmatic equivocal guarded hidden implied obscure obscured personal privy remote secondary selfish shrouded under cover under wraps undisclosed undivulged unexpressed unsaid

Antonyms

WEAK

expressed known overt public

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Anybody making a financial pitch to you out of the blue likely has ulterior motives.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

But there is an ulterior motive to her choice that won’t come into focus until the second half of the movie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

However, he thinks Bondi’s deployment of the policy is for ulterior motives.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

In the end, staying friends only works if both people have truly accepted the end of the relationship, and neither has an ulterior motive, she adds.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

“Don’t say that. You haven’t found out about my ulterior motives yet.”

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

Vocabulary lists containing ulterior

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The Diary of a Young Girl

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