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

The law doesn’t allow ulterior motives to infect plan investments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Kenya insisted it had hosted the meetings in a bid to find a way to end the war, "without any ulterior motives".

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

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

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

If I feel they have ulterior motives or are the slightest bit disingenuous, I try to shelter the kids from them.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

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