ulterior

adjective

ul·​te·​ri·​or ˌəl-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce ulterior (audio)
1
: going beyond what is openly said or shown and especially what is proper
ulterior motives
2
b
: more distant
c
: situated on the farther side
ulteriorly adverb

Did you know?

Although now usually hitched to the front of the noun motive to refer to a hidden need or desire that inspires action, ulterior began its career as an adjective in the 17th century describing something occurring at a subsequent time, such as "ulterior measures" taken after a lawful request. It then started to be used to mean both "more distant" (literally and figuratively) and "situated on the farther side." The "hidden" sense, which is most familiar today, followed after those, with the word modifying nouns like purpose, design, and consequence. Ulterior comes directly from the Latin word for "farther" or "further," itself assumed to be from ulter, meaning "situated beyond."

Examples of ulterior in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Photo: Peggy Nolan Her ulterior motivation for enrolling at FIU, though, was to use its darkroom to develop her photographs. Nadine Zylberberg, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2023 For its own sake, and not some ulterior parenting goal? Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2023 The human brain has acquired new instruments—auxiliary electronics that are hooked into algorithms organized, with ulterior purpose, in some sinister way. Lance Morrow, WSJ, 14 Nov. 2022 Her ulterior motivation for enrolling at FIU, though, was to use its darkroom to develop her photographs. Nadine Zylberberg, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2023 Shallcross also opened up about weeding out women with ulterior motives to finding a true connection as the show progresses. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2023 Minari breakout Alan Kim also has a scene-stealing role as a wannabe talent agent, and Patti Harrison plays a business development exec with ulterior motives. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2023 When the exhilaration and beauty of sports were too often clouded by manipulation, propaganda and ulterior motives. Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Dec. 2022 When their family patriarch is stabbed, seven women, each with ulterior motives, become trapped together in a mansion to solve the puzzle of his murder. Travis Bean, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ulterior.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, farther, further, comparative of *ulter situated beyond, from uls beyond; akin to Latin ollus, ille, that one, Old Irish indoll beyond

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ulterior was in 1646

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Dictionary Entries Near ulterior

Cite this Entry

“Ulterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ulterior. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ulterior

adjective
ul·​te·​ri·​or ˌəl-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce ulterior (audio)
: kept hidden in order to achieve a particular result
ulterior motives
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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