ulterior

[uhl-teer-ee-er] /ʌlˈtɪər i ər/

adjective

being beyond what is seen or avowed; intentionally kept concealed:

ulterior motives.

coming at a subsequent time or stage; future; further:

ulterior action.

lying beyond or outside of some specified or understood boundary; more remote:

a suggestion ulterior to the purposes of the present discussion.

Origin

1640-50; < Latin: farther, akin to ultrā on the far side; cf. ultra-

Related forms

ulteriorly, adverb

Synonyms

1. hidden, covert, undisclosed, undivulged.

Examples from the web for ulterior

ulterior transaction occurs when communication exists at both the overt and the covert levels.
Others see ulterior motives to the groups' charity.
Occasionally, they would suspect the person had ulterior motives.
He wanted time and the absence of ulterior pressure.
This seems like unfair spoiled whining at best, and wreaks of ulterior motive at worst.
The people at the top of the organization often have ulterior motives and alternative goals than the ones being openly expressed.
In general, it is best to assume good intentions rather than ulterior motives (unless you have irrefutable proof to the contrary).
Of course anyone who takes umbrage with the policy must have an ulterior, and sinister motive.
There can be no ulterior political interest.
They're both making the same error, they're both extremists and they're both talking at cross-purposes with ulterior agenda.

British Dictionary definitions for ulterior

ulterior

/ʌlˈtɪərɪə/

adjective

lying beneath or beyond what is revealed, evident, or supposed: ulterior motives

succeeding, subsequent, or later

lying beyond a certain line or point

Derived Forms

ulteriorly, adverb

Word Origin

C17: from Latin: further, from ulter beyond

Word Origin and History for ulterior

adj.

1640s, from Latin ulterior "more distant, further," comparative of *ulter "beyond" (see ultra-). The sense in ulterior motives is first attested 1735.