ulterior

American  

[uhl-teer-ee-er] / ʌlˈtɪər i ər /

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.

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ulterior British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• ulteriorly adverb

Etymology

Origin of ulterior

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

Explanation

An ulterior interest, argument, or revelation is one you try to keep hidden, like your ulterior motive for weeding your grandmother's garden is to have a conversation with your crush — and Grandma's neighbor — who happens to be outside, too. The adjective ulterior is a Latin word which means “more distant” or “future.” Something that is ulterior may lay the groundwork for what comes later, like a new friend who hangs out with you at your house but whose ulterior motive is to date one of your siblings, or the incredible popularity of a series of novels set in a real place having the ulterior consequences of that place becoming a tourist destination.

Example Sentences

Ekneligoda's lawyer said his client denies the allegations, that there are ulterior motives to the allegations, and that a witness supports his version of events.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 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

Many locals, she said, fear the company has ulterior motives and may one day seize their land.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

Perhaps she has an ulterior motive; so many of these characters do.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025

Who knew what ulterior motives were hidden in the ingredients?

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas