ulterior

[ uhl-teer-ee-er ]

adjective

1. being beyond what is seen or made known; intentionally kept concealed:

   Is there perhaps some ulterior agenda behind their bizarre line of reasoning?

   Synonyms: undivulged, undisclosed, covert, hidden

2. coming at a subsequent time or stage; future; further:

   Having sent the letter, the committee considered the matter dealt with and did not recommend any ulterior action.

3. lying beyond or outside of some specified or understood boundary; more remote:

   Building this questionable website was a misuse of the school’s educational technology for purposes ulterior to learning.

ulterior

/ ʌlˈtɪərɪə /

adjective

1. lying beneath or beyond what is revealed, evident, or supposed

   ulterior motives

2. succeeding, subsequent, or later
3. lying beyond a certain line or point

Derived Forms

• ulˈteriorly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• ul·te·ri·or·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ulterior¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin: “farther,” comparative of ulter “beyond”; akin to ultrā “on the far side”; ultra-

Word History and Origins

Origin of ulterior¹

C17: from Latin: further, from ulter beyond

Example Sentences

But there’s an ulterior motive at play, according to Bruce.

From Los Angeles Times

But Kenya defended its role, stating that hosting the meetings was part of efforts to find solutions to end the war in Sudan "without any ulterior motives".

From BBC

In response, Kenya's foreign ministry said there was "no ulterior motive" in "providing non-partisan platforms to conflict parties".

From BBC

“The fact that those who indicted and prosecuted the case refused to follow a direct command is further proof of the disordered and ulterior motives of the prosecutors,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

But the “Severance” creator reveals an ulterior motive in that confrontation.

From Salon