Ulterior

Pronunciation: /ʌlˈtɪriər/

Definitions of ulterior

adjective existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden

Example Sentences

A1 She had an ulterior motive for helping him.

A2 He had ulterior intentions when he offered to pay for dinner.

B1 The politician's ulterior motives were eventually exposed by the media.

B2 The company had ulterior motives for investing in the small startup.

C1 Her ulterior agenda was carefully hidden from everyone around her.

C2 The detective suspected that there was an ulterior purpose behind the seemingly random crime.

Examples of ulterior in a Sentence

formal The suspect had an ulterior motive for being at the crime scene.

informal I think she has an ulterior plan to surprise us on our anniversary.

slang I don't trust him, he always has some ulterior agenda.

figurative His smile seemed friendly, but I could sense an ulterior darkness behind his eyes.

Grammatical Forms of ulterior

• past tense: ulteriored
• plural: ulteriors
• comparative: more ulterior
• superlative: most ulterior
• present tense: ulterior
• future tense: will ulterior
• perfect tense: have ulteriored
• continuous tense: is ulterioring
• singular: ulterior
• positive degree: ulterior
• infinitive: to ulterior
• gerund: ulterioring
• participle: ulteriored

Origin and Evolution of ulterior

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'ulterior' originated from the Latin word 'ulterior', meaning farther or more distant.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to something situated beyond or farther away, 'ulterior' has evolved to also denote hidden motives or intentions.