ulterior

adjective

Definition of ulteriornext
as in eventual
occurring at a later time were able to proceed without ulterior argument

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ulterior Could Donal have some ulterior, possibly financial, motive for wanting to check out the family business again? — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025 The Dershowitz theory does not compute because the government invariably manipulates projections about future harm for ulterior partisan or personal motives. — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025 At this point, supporter opposition to the Egyptian venture appeared to have ulterior reasoning, beyond the dispute about Mashhour’s comments, owing to the club’s recent performance on the pitch. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 In the larger sense, along with truth comes a distortion of it, sometimes innocently and inadvertently but, more often than not, by design and for ulterior purposes. — Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ulterior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ulterior
  1. eventual
  2. coming
  3. final
  4. ultimate
  5. planned
  6. last
  7. anticipated
Adjective
  • The estimate covers emissions from producing the fuel through its eventual use onboard.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Artificial is introduced as Ilya’s story before Sam takes charge of the narrative; accordingly, the tone turns almost sinister, with Ilya and eventual OpenAI CTO Mira Murati (Monica Barbaro) looking on in disempowered horror.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of eventual
Adjective
  • The county has an ample pot of uncommitted funds in coming years, however, in part because of the rapid growth of the revenue stream.
    — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • And lunar traffic is poised to increase greatly in the coming years, as both the United States and China aim to build bases near the moon's south pole.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of coming
Adjective
  • The pump wagon’s relevance to Bowery culture will only be apparent in the exhibition’s final gallery, which is dominated by a comparable artifact, Brad Kalhammer’s installation Bowery Nation (1985–2012).
    — J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Johnny calls David with this update just in time to stop Cathcarts’ final offer from reaching the Taylor & Byrne camp.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of final
Adjective
  • Raj’s wisdom has helped guests move past emotional blocks more successfully than months in traditional therapy, and the strong backing of meditation gives you that ultimate mind-body balance.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The ultimate depuffing hack, an ice roller, can take you from puffed out to sculpted.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of ultimate
Adjective
  • The route is expected to come into service next summer, albeit using slower trains that won’t cover the planned 316 miles.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But when September came, the four planned concerts were canceled without explanation.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of planned
Adjective
  • The Treasury Department moved last week to automatically enroll tens of millions of children and greenlight donations of individual stocks as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent touts the accounts ahead of midterms.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Authorities began shutting schools last week to take some steam out of the demonstrations after widespread damage to schools and mounting injuries among staff, students and police.
    — NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of last
Adjective
  • The Ministry of Time is one of the more anticipated BBC fantasy series currently in the works.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
  • In California, CalOptima Health data is showing an anticipated Medi-Cal monthly enrollment decrease for 2026-27 (this is California’s name for the federal Medicaid program).
    — Taryn Palumbo, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of anticipated

Browse Nearby Words

ulsters
ulterior
ultimate
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Cite this Entry

“Ulterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ulterior. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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