Ulterior: meaning, definitions and examples

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ulterior

 

[ ʌlˈtɪəriə ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

hidden motive

The term 'ulterior' refers to something that is not apparent or is kept hidden, especially regarding motives or intentions. It suggests that there is another agenda or reason behind someone's actions that is not immediately obvious.

Synonyms

covert, disguised, hidden, secret

Examples of usage

  • She had ulterior motives for helping him.
  • His pleasant demeanor masked his ulterior intentions.
  • They questioned whether his support came from an ulterior motive.

Translations

Translations of the word "ulterior" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ulterior

🇮🇳 गुप्त

🇩🇪 hintergründig

🇮🇩 tersembunyi

🇺🇦 підступний

🇵🇱 ukryty

🇯🇵 裏の

🇫🇷 ulérieur

🇪🇸 ulterior

🇹🇷 gizli

🇰🇷 숨겨진

🇸🇦 خفي

🇨🇿 skrytý

🇸🇰 skrytý

🇨🇳 隐秘的

🇸🇮 skrit

🇮🇸 dulin

🇰🇿 жасырын

🇬🇪 დამალული

🇦🇿 gizli

🇲🇽 ulterior

Etymology

The word 'ulterior' comes from the Latin word 'ulterior', which means 'further, more distant'. It is derived from 'ultra', meaning 'beyond' or 'further'. The term emerged in English usage during the late 19th century. Initially, the word was used to indicate something that was beyond what was stated or seen. Over time, its usage evolved to describe hidden or secret motives behind actions. This shift reflects a broader tendency in language to ascribe intentions that are not immediately apparent. 'Ulterior' fits within a family of related terms that connote a sense of concealment, further emphasizing the complexity of human interactions and motivations.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,140, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.