View synonyms for ulterior motive

ulterior motive

[ uhl-teer-ee-er moh-tiv ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a secret reason for doing something; a purpose, often the main purpose, that is kept hidden:
When his enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham calls for an archery contest, Robin Hood suspects an ulterior motive, namely, to flush Robin out of hiding.
It turns out she had an ulterior motive for being so friendly and helpful—she was a con artist hoping to sign me up.

First recorded in 1800–10

I think a misconception everybody has is that I had an ulterior motive.

While Baldwin is an unconvincing gay rights activist, he seems to have an ulterior motive in writing this article.

I shall bring some happiness back to you, let me think that I do it from gratitude only, from no ulterior motive.

You don't—Millner, a lot depends on this—you don't really think my father has any ulterior motive?

For surely I am quite bed-ridden enough not to have my impulses questioned or to be accused of a sentimental, ulterior motive.

But the ulterior motive was simply to excite the Dutch party against him.

For the first time in her experience, she was unable to scent an ulterior motive in a man's admiration.

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